If we honestly examine ourselves, seeking an answer to this profound question, we may find many who believe in Christ's Resurrection. Yet, this very reality reveals that for many, this belief feels seasonal, practiced only at certain times. It risks becoming a mere beautiful concept, a joyful hymn, sweet words detached from our lives – and nothing more.
We do not write to condemn a damaging reality, presuming a position that isn't ours. God is our witness that we only hope to echo what Christ, who granted us life through His death and resurrection, intended. And if this is our hope, how can we achieve it unless we embrace its requirements? Every question our conscience poses demands an answer. And the most crucial question is: Do we truly believe that Christ is Risen?
If we answer yes, perhaps the One awaiting our reply won't be content with mere words. Perhaps He will ask for proof. So, what will we answer Him if He asks, for example:
‘Why do I see you flocking to Paschal services like deer to water springs, only to see most of you, after the feast, fall into a slumber like the Ephesians? Why is your Feast like a new toy in a child’s hands – novel only briefly? Why do you drift away? Who draws you away? Where did you learn the Feast is merely a season? Who concealed from you that I am the Feast? And why haven't you sought answers? Did you ask and receive none? Were you answered, but unconvinced? What do you lack that prevents you from saving yourselves from the ruin of ignorance?’
And what will we answer Him if He asks: ‘Why do I see so many of you facing the death of loved ones devoid of hope? Grief is natural, but is it right to treat death as the absolute end? Haven't you heard that I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End? What are these black garments you wear in sorrow? Do they truly comfort you? And does it comfort some to separate themselves from My Church for a period of their choosing? Did I rise from the dead solely for your rejoicing, or also to extend My life to you, and rejoice in you as well?’
And what will we answer Him if He asks: ‘Why do I see your hardships crushing you? Why this weariness in your souls? What has ravaged you? Where is your trust in My victory over the world? Where is the joy of My Pascha? Why don't I see it shining in your eyes? Where is your steadfastness in trials and tribulations? What troubles you? Do you waver in difficult circumstances like a small child? Where is your maturity? Have you not understood that I am your victory in every challenging moment, always? Where do you look? O you who claim to belong to Me, where are your eyes fixed? From where do your thoughts originate? What is the foundation of your conduct? Why are so many of you near collapse? Is it social hardship? Is it the political situation? I, Jesus of Nazareth, Lord of the universe, see you, despite your unsteady walk with Me, running after earthly leaders at their every call, clapping and cheering, forgetting Me if their summons falls on the Lord\'s Day. I am left behind? You boast of following worldly ways and abandon Me? I, who came to you, called you, gladdened you with My words, and loved you lavishly – I am left behind? What is wrong with you? Have you lost your minds? Don't think I don't understand the world; it is you who fail to understand that this world, which I created, I wish to continually fill with My life through you. When will you understand? I want you to carry Me into your work, your universities, your gatherings, everywhere. When will you understand? And when will I see you living it? If you answer, “We understand, we are doing it,” then I ask just one question: Do you measure everything you see and hear exclusively against My word? And since I have mentioned My word, tell Me: who among you truly knows it? Who has read My Book from cover to cover? Your excuses flood My ears – you are always busy. Do you take Me for a fool? What is the value of your life if you are ignorant of what I have spoken? How will your ears be attentive? How will you be purified? Come now, let Me see: can you recite even one verse I spoke, exactly as I spoke it? Do you think I don't know everything you know? Do you imagine I am unaware of what occupies your time? You choose trivialities, you practically worship them, and then you say, “He knows our situation,” and speak of My mercy. But what if I were to slam the door in your faces?’
‘And what if I continue: Why do I see the poor among you? I gave you life so you might serve My life, yet people are dying around you, and you are content to watch and offer condolences? Truly, your ways are strange. And what about this: Where is the peace in your families? Why have so many fallen apart? What is this senseless disintegration? So tell Me, let Me hear: What are you doing for your children? Are you raising them in My discipline and instruction? You baptize them as infants, and then I cease to see them in My house. Why? Why? Do you believe that teaching them to make the sign of the cross and murmur words to please Me will please Me? Perhaps I will be pleased with them, but as for you, how can you guarantee My pleasure? You distance them from Me, and yet you expect My favor? Don't you see their condition when they are far from Me? Don't you see how many have traded their days for nights? What is this attachment to nightclubs? And your justification for their behavior – I know it by heart: “They study hard all week, they need to unwind.” What is this? It baffles Me that this convinces you. Does it not? Tell Me: Does their state not worry you? Their increasing absence from your sight allows them to hide things that could destroy them. Don't you know? Haven't you learned that some have become addicted to death in the form of alcohol or drugs? Haven't you heard of those drowning in promiscuity or homosexual practices?’
Shall I ask further? Out of concern for you, I will stop here. And I will condense all these questions into one:
Do you truly believe that I am Risen?
Think about it, and answer yourselves.
Christ is Risen! Truly He is Risen!
