Message for Pascha 2026
Christ is Risen from the dead, by death He trampled death and to those in the tomb He granted life.
My very dear friends,
If we look around we see what attracts us. A monk saint was asked about sin in a monastery. He replied, if you ask a fly what is in the monastery, the fly will seek what is filthy. If you ask a honey bee what is in the monastery, the honey bee will seek what is beautiful.
At the end of His teaching, Jesus told us, wars, violence, and earthquakes will come, but do not be distracted by these things. On Friday, we remembered the violent treacherous end of the earthly life of Jesus, the ingratitude of His creatures whom He made for beauty and for whom He sacrificed His life. We had hope even at His death when He cried out, “Forgive them Father! They don’t know what they are doing.”
On the third day, His disciples learned that death doesn’t have the last word. That Jesus the Christ conquered sin and death for all eternity. The thousands of years of sin in the past and in the future and in our own lives were washed away by His blood. Before every Divine Liturgy the priest says, “You have redeemed us from the curse of the law with your precious Blood; nailed to the cross and pierced with a lance. You have gushed forth immortality to men.” And in the prophet we read, “In those days, I will pour out on the House of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a Spirit of supplication and a Spirit of compassion. They will look on Him Whom they have pierced. …. And I will open in the city of Jerusalem a fountain that will wash them of their iniquities and will cleanse them of their impurity.”
When Jesus asked His Father for forgive us, He obtained eternal life for those who accept His offer. As Saint John says, He gave us the power to become Children of God.
This year, despite the many sad stories in the world, the New York news media is reporting something remarkable. They report with hope and optimism that the Faith is on the rise. The Archdiocese of Newark welcomes 17,000 new Catholics this Easter. The Diocese of Brooklynn welcomes 13,000 new Catholics this Easter. The media reports that young adults are returning to their spiritual roots in great numbers.
Around the world, Christians remember and celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ two thousand years ago with song and feasting. Even Wall Street stops for Good Friday. In our Church we have the most beautiful expression of our faith in the Resurrection in the entire Christian world: God gave His people life in the Sinai desert by miraculous water to drink from a rock, and we drink the water from the side of Christ for everlasting life. With the women, we go to the tomb to mourn the body of Jesus, only to find an angel who proclaims, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here. He is risen!” We stand with the Prophet Habakkuk who shows us the brilliant Angel saying, “Today, salvation comes to the world. For Christ, being almighty, is risen!” King David danced and made merry before the Ark, which was a prefiguring of the true Ark, the God become Man, Jesus Christ. We rise at early dawn to bring to Christ songs instead of myrrh. With torches, we greet the bridegroom Christ. Yesterday the Sun, the light of the world, descended into the grave, and today He arises as the Dawn from on High. The proud king consigned the three Hebrew youth to the fiery furnace, but he saw in their midst a fourth figure, God’s messenger who delivered them from death. Christ, our King and Lord, fell asleep like any mortal, but He arose on the third day, raising up Adam from corruption and making death powerless.
We sing of the joy of the Virgin, the Mother of God, Who stood by His side at the crucifixion. Just as she heard the message of His Incarnation from the Archangel, she hears the news of His Resurrection from an Angel. Shine in splendor O New Jerusalem!
How pleasingly divine and sweet is Your voice, O Christ, when you promised us that you go ahead of us to prepare a place for us.
“Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they came into being and were created.”
“Worthy is the Lamb, to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain and by Your blood You ransomed men for God from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made them a kingdom and priests to our God and they shall reign on earth.”
“For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and He will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
“God, our God, is the God of Deliverance, and to Him belongs escape from death.”
“Great and wonderful are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of ages! Who shall not fear and glorify your name, O Lord? For you alone are holy. All nations shall come and worship You, for your judgments have been revealed.”
Christ having risen from the dead is become the first fruit of those who have fallen asleep. To Him be glory and honor forever. Amen.
Bishop Kurt Richard Burnette
Bishop of Passaic
Apostolic Administrator in Toronto