Prof. Msgr. Vladimir Felzmann aka Father Vlad 

still working to help God make this World a better place 

“Why seek the living among the dead? He is not here, he has risen.”

Whenever someone I know well dies – and as I get older this is an increasingly common occurrence -  I have learned to assuage my grief with hope. My loss is their gain. They  are now risen to new life with God. Rather than grieving, I am tempted to be  envious!

According to Luke – the author of today’s Gospel - the female followers of Jesus were the first to discover that Jesus was no longer dead. But alive. Resurrected.

To Peter – not the sharpest knife in the kitchen as we discovered in Matthew 16:23 and Mark 8:33, “get behind me Satan” - when Jesus rebukes Peter for having a human, rather than a divine, perspective on Jesus's impending suffering and death – the Resurrection seemed impossible. 

It still does, for all too many even nowadays, who see the death of their friends  - including their family - as the end of life, rather than  a transition to something far greater.

In the Orthodox Church – and in an increasing number of Roman catholic congregation’s today’s greeting is , in Greek,” Khristos Anesti”, "Christ is risen". The customary response is, “Alithos Anesti" Truly, He is risen.

As you leave after mass, you will hear me say “Khristos Anesti”.Will you affirm your belief and hope with “Alithos Anesti.” ?

As my memory is fading, I will take a look at my homily and be able to declare, “Khristos Anesti” – before wishing you a delightful Eastertide.