 Gospel Reading: John 11:1-46
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, In essence, Holy Week starts with the Saturday of Lazaros. The Saturday of Lazaros and Palm Sunday, together, express a glorious two-day period in the life of Christ and the life of His Holy Greek Orthodox Church. I will assume we all know the incredible, heart-wrenching and then, astonishing events of the story around Lazaros’ death and resurrection. As I often say with any reading from the Scriptures, we can discuss so many things. This year however, I want to focus on the command Jesus gives to the people after Lazaros comes forth, alive, from the tomb: “Unbind him, and let him go,” “Λύσατε αυτον, και άφετε υπάγειν”  Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I think it is safe to say that we all know what solitary confinement is. When someone is in prison and whose crime is particular heinous, for the prisoner’s own safety, or because of vile behavior in prison, the incarcerated is put into a tiny cell, alone, with nearly all contact with the rest of the inmates and staff reduced to a bare minimum. Perhaps a one-hour furlough, alone, into an outdoor cage may be allowed.
In certain political cases, in which the ruler or state wishes to inflict grave distress on a prisoner, solitary confinement is also a weapon of choice.  Two weeks ago, on the second Sunday of Great Lent, when the Church remembers St. Gregory Palamas, I wrote about meditation stemming from some of St. Gregory’s teachings and its application in our lives.
This week, the fourth Sunday of Great Lent, we remember St. John Climacos, or St. John of the Ladder (“Climacos” or “klimax” is Greek for “ladder”). St. John Climacos was born, likely, in the last quarter of the 6th century and died around 650 A.D. He lived a monastic life on Mt. Sinai at the monastery of St. Katherine. From his works, it is clear to see that Mt. Sinai, where Moses encounter God, and Mt. Tabor, where the Transfiguration of Christ took place, are paramount (pun intend) to his ascetical and godly thought.  Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ, What comes to your mind when you see a cross somewhere? Perhaps you see one on the side of the road. Maybe you see one on a bumper sticker. Sometimes people being interviewed on television are wearing one.
I don’t know about you, but a cross always brings a smile to my face. Far from its original intent of being a sign of torture and humiliation, it’s a symbol of victory, hope, faith, and love. Even in the graveyard or looking upon the rows of crosses in military cemeteries, the remembrance of Christ’s dominion over all always brings a smile of Jesus’ truth and righteousness to my face. |
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Church Address
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
3109 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: (734) 332-8200
Fax: (734) 332-8201
NEW MAILING ADDRESS
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
P.O. Box 1033
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
Church Address
Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
3109 Scio Church Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Phone: (734) 332-8200
Fax: (734) 332-8201
NEW MAILING ADDRESS
St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church
P.O. Box 1033
Ann Arbor, MI 48106
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