As this year's Holy Week begins, as we find ourselves separated from one another, let us NOT find ourselves separated from our Lord, or from His Body, the Church!
To that end, we offer today the following, from the Third Theological Oration of St. Gregory Nazianzus.
St. Gregory's words are powerful! Please - ponder the magnitude of our Lord's works, and through them, of His total immersion into OUR lives. Why? Because of His unlimited love for us! We are not EVER separated from Him and His love for us. Through Him, we cannot be separated from one another!
He was baptized as man - but He remitted sins as God, not because He needed purifying rites Himself, but that He might sanctify the element of water.
He was tempted as man, but He conquered as God; indeed, He bids us be of good cheer, for He has overcome the world.
He hungered, but He fed thousands; indeed, He is the Bread of Life that gives life, and that is of heaven.
He thirsted, but He cried, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink;" (John 7:37) indeed, He promised that fountains should flow from those who believe. (John 4:14)
He was wearied, but He is the rest to those who are weary and heavy laden.
He was heavy with sleep, but He walked lightly over the sea. He rebuked the winds, He made Peter light as he began to sink. (Mat 14:22-33)
He pays tribute, but it is out of a fish; indeed, He is the King of those who demanded it. (Mat 17:24-27)
He weeps, but He causes tears to cease. He asks where Lazarus was laid, for He was man; but He raises Lazarus, for He is God. (John 11:1-45)
He is sold, and very cheap, for it is only for thirty pieces of silver; but He redeems the world, and that at a great price, for the price was His own blood. As a sheep He is led to the slaughter, but He is the shepherd of Israel, and now the whole world also.
As a lamb He is silent, yet He is the Word, and is proclaimed by the voice of one crying in the wilderness.
He is bruised and wounded, but He heals every disease and every infirmity.
He is lifted up and nailed to the tree, but by the Tree of Life He restores us; indeed, He saves even the robber crucified with Him; indeed He wrapped the visible world in darkness.
He is given vinegar to drink mingled with gall. Who? He Who turned water into wine, Who is the Destroyer of the bitter taste, Who is sweetness and altogether desired.
He lays down His life, but He has power to take it again.
He dies, but He gives life, and by His death destroys death.
He is buried but He rises again; He goes down into hell, but He brings up the souls.
Icon of the Last Judgment from an Orthodox Monastery in Kosovo
