Selected Sunday Scriptures- #69

The wait is over. The third day has come:

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices which they had prepared. ^2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ^3 but when they went in they did not find the body. ^4 While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; ^5 and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, âWhy do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. ^6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, ^7 that the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise.â ^8 And they remembered his words, ^9 and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. ^10 Now it was Mary Magâ²dalene and Jo-anâ²na and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the apostles; ^11 but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. ^12 But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.

^13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaâ²us, about seven miles from Jerusalem, ^14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. ^15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. ^16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. ^17 And he said to them, âWhat is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?â And they stood still, looking sad. ^18 Then one of them, named Cleâ²opas, answered him, âAre you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?â ^19 And he said to them, âWhat things?â And they said to him, âConcerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, ^20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. ^21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. ^22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning ^23 and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. ^24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see.â ^25 And he said to them, âO foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! ^26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?â ^27 And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

^28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, ^29 but they constrained him, saying, âStay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.â So he went in to stay with them. ^30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. ^31 And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. ^32 They said to each other, âDid not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?â ^33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, ^34 who said, âThe Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!â ^35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

^36 As they were saying this, Jesus himself stood among them, and said to them, âPeace to you.â ^37 But they were startled and frightened, and supposed that they saw a spirit. ^38 And he said to them, âWhy are you troubled, and why do questionings rise in your hearts? ^39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have.â ^40 And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. ^41 And while they still disbelieved for joy, and wondered, he said to them, âHave you anything here to eat?â ^42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, ^43 and he took it and ate before them.

^44 Then he said to them, âThese are my words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled.â ^45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, ^46 and said to them, âThus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, ^47 and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. ^48 You are witnesses of these things. ^49 And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but stay in the city, until you are clothed with power from on high.â

(Luke 24:1-49)

Today is the central day of our Faith. Without today our faith means nothing, as St. Paul recognized long ago:

^12 Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ^13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; ^14 if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. ^15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. ^16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. ^17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. ^18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. ^19 If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied.

^20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. ^21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. ^22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. ^23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. ^24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. ^25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. ^26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ^27 âFor God has put all things in subjection under his feet.â But when it says, âAll things are put in subjection under him,â it is plain that he is excepted who put all things under him. ^28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things under him, that God may be everything to every one.

(1 Corinthians 15:12-28)

Any words I say would be woefully insufficient for an occasion such as this. Thus I will leave the Scripture as is, and wish everyone a blessed and joyful Easter/Pascha.

Rejoice! Christ is Risen!