Shroro

The Syriac Orthodox Christian Digest - May, 2005

The Power of Resurrection

By H.G Mor Ivanios Mathews

Dear beloved readers,

After the Great Lent, we are passing through the experience of the “Power of Resurrection”. Christianity is a way of life. All the implementations of our Christian life anchored and proceeded through the power of resurrection. The word of God became man, not only lived, worked and died, but did rise from the dead. This has happened only once in history. But the experience continues! For us life is Christ–centered. According to St. Peter we are the chosen people, ministers of the Kingdom, Holy people, a congregation redeemed to proclaim the glories of Him, who has called us out of darkness to His marvelous light. We are assigned to proclaim this experience

The manifestations of this great experience of resurrection could work out by the following:

(1) Worship: This is the basic character of the Church. Jesus himself did not seek His own will, but the will of Him who sent (St. John 5:30). Adoration happens when we experience the greatness. The women Jesus met at Sichar village; Peter after getting fish in abundance; Thomas after touching the resurrected Christ, did really worship Him.

(2) Witness: Witnessing involves sacrifice. God send forth His only begotten Son to this Earth. Jesus laid down His life for the sake of saving the world. One can measure the love, by the extent of sacrifice involved in it. Selfishness is the main obstacle of love. Instead of selfishness, if one practices generosity then we can eradicate selfishness. This will lead to the real witnessing.

(3) Sharing: Another mode to experience the power of resurrection is sharing; this is really the fruit. As Christians we are in this world not for us but for others. The ‘I’ concept must give way to ‘We’. We are the managers to see everything equally distributed. Along with Paul one will ask “who shall separate us from the love of Christ” (Romans 8:35).

May God bless us to enjoy the Power of Resurrection.

With love and prayers,

Mor Ivanios Mathews

Metropolitan of Kandanad & Thrissur diocese