The Supreme Witness to the Resurrection
Dearest Brothers and Sisters,
It is with an earnest cry that we greet each other this year in the wake of the tragedy that has taken place in Egypt. Yet again we find ourselves in the midst of despair, anger and loss at a time when we should be celebrating with joy because of the victory that was achieved on our behalf through the Resurrection of The King. Suicide bombers attacked two Coptic Churches in northern Egypt on Hosanna Sunday killing forty-four people. Forty-four new martyrs have been added to the scrolls at the gates of heaven because they bore supreme witness to the Resurrection of The King, their faith being their only crime in the eyes of their perpetrators. Year after year, these scrolls are being populated with the names of people who are loved, people who love and people who put the witness of their faith into action. Although they did not choose their destiny, they lived their faith to the ultimate degree of sacrifice; in the footsteps of The King, the Supreme Martyr.
Pope Francis teaches us that: “a Church without martyrs is a church without Jesus.” In this Jubilee Year of Martyrdom and Martyrs in our Maronite Church, we celebrate the witness of the martyrs to their faith. Not only do we celebrate the many martyrs in the history of the Maronite Church, but we also celebrate the martyrs who everyday give up their lives. Further we celebrate the white martyrs who suffer persecution and torture today and every day. As difficult as this may be, yes, we celebrate them because they have earned the eternal reward of the heavenly kingdom. Each drop of blood is a sign of victory because it is a drop of love and forgiveness which cries out with the Lord: “forgive them Father, for they know not what they are doing.” Each drop of blood is a shout to the mothers and fathers to stop weeping because “He is Risen, He is truly Risen.” Each drop of blood is a call to the nations to take action against injustice. Each drop of blood is a reminder to us of the ultimate and supreme sacrifice that we must be ready to make so that we can truly be witnesses to the Resurrection of The King. Are we ready to make this sacrifice?
We are a people of faith, hope and love and we are witnesses to the Resurrection through the work that we do here in our parish. Over the last few weeks of Lent and during Passion Week, I cannot but testify to the great faith of our parishioners. The church and church grounds have overflown with the many faithful that have taken part in all our celebrations. The wonderful work of our parishioners in making everyone who comes to Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral feel welcomed into their home is something that I am very proud to proclaim aloud. Day after day, you have worked tirelessly to serve and to help others come closer to the Risen Lord. Through your actions, you have helped them on their journey to the Resurrection. Every member of the clergy, every staff member, every committee member and every volunteer has contributed so much to the mission of our parish. I thank you all for your contributions no matter how big or how small. Through your actions, my brothers and sisters, you are circulating the unending drops of blood of the martyrs through the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ. Your witness is a clear message to those who are trying to eliminate us!
Christ is Risen…He is truly Risen, and we are witnesses to this!
