Beloved,
During the month of April, we will shout with joy the triumphant words: “Christ is Risen! - ΧριστÏŒς ἈνÎστη!” These words proclaim to you and me one singular truth about the Son of God: His perfect selflessness. What does that have to do with you and me? Everything.
The selflessness of God allows husbands and wives to become selfless with one another again. Over time, couples can develop attitudes of selfishness that become destructive to the nurture, love, and growth of their relationship. Bringing Christ into our marriages means bringing selflessness, renewal, and deeper love into our most important human relationship: that with our spouse. May you discover selflessness in your relationship today by first practicing it yourself.
The selflessness of God allows our youth to learn that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Our precious young people are constantly bombarded by images of selfishness in friendships, music, social media, advertisements, and the internet. When they come to know Jesus Christ early in life, however, they discover the true joy, fulfillment, and sense of purpose that come from living selflessly. With Christ guiding them, they learn that society and the many influences around them are not to be feared, but approached with openness, discernment, and the integrity of our Orthodox Christian values; values they may not encounter outside the life of the Church.
The selflessness of God gives strength to our seniors. Having weathered much in life, our beloved seniors are encouraged not to waver, just as Christ did not waver in His most difficult hour. They are called not only to remain steadfast, but also to share their wisdom with their families, to continue being a source of love and understanding for their children and grandchildren, and to serve as a shining example for them to follow. As the Psalmist says, “They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing.”
The selflessness of God speaks to young and old, married and single alike, reminding us that a life of fulfillment is not found in fleeting pleasures or selfish pursuits. True joy is found when we come to know that Jesus Christ died and rose for you and for me, so that we may live fuller lives today and inherit perfect life in the Kingdom to come. To be selfless means to find joy in loving those who are hard to love, giving even when it hurts, forgiving those who are hard to forgive, helping when it is inconvenient, and humbly setting aside our egos to ask forgiveness when we have failed.
Friends, this Pascha, let us allow our Risen Lord to renew us by His example of perfect love and selflessness. May He teach us to love more deeply, forgive more readily, and live more faithfully, so that His Resurrection may shine forth not only in our words, but also in our actions.
Peace and blessings,
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Rev Father Christ Kontos, Protopresbyter
