Homily on the icon of the Resurrection
Christ is risen! He is truly risen!
This year Christ has chosen to dwell in our cathedral in Montreal, not only through his presence in the very being of the faithful, but also through his new icons, especially the icon of the Resurrection, which shows us Christ descending into Hades, smashing its bronze gates, its chains and its power. We see him taking Adam and Eve by the hands, calling them, together with the souls of the righteous, to new life, and through them calling the whole human race to rise from death and triumph over it. Christ’s wounds are still visible, because they bear witness to the work of redemption accomplished on the cross. As for the resurrection, it appears in this icon through Christ’s power to raise Adam and Eve and all their descendants, that is, all of humanity.
From this Easter on, we in this cathedral must engage with this icon in faith. We must train ourselves through it to live the resurrection, converse with it in our hearts and consciences, and draw it close to us. For the Christ in it is our victory. He conquered our death and trampled our sin, he who is without sin. Christ was crucified so that we might live, for he is the Living One. Christ fulfilled what the Father asked of him; are we fulfilling what the Son asks of us? We are asked to end at once the deadly split that controls us, when we turn Christianity into a story to be told. Easter people live Easter as a reality, not as a tale. Christianity becomes a story when we do not pray it and do not live it. Christianity becomes a religion of resurrection when we unite ourselves with the risen Jesus and plant him deep in our hearts, minds, bodies, intentions and actions. Let us cling to him for ever, and our words and deeds will become those that are in Christ Jesus. So let us pledge to Christ to be renewed in him, so that we may become Easter people and not remain dust. Then joy will dwell in us for ever.
Christ is risen! He is truly risen!
Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim, eparch of the Melkite Greek Catholic Eparchy of Canada
