ፋሲካ ፋሲካ

15 ግንቦት 2019 · 2027-05-23

Saint Paul describes the human body as an earthly dwelling or tent that will not remain forever. Christians possess the hope of an eternal dwelling prepared by God. Human mortality produces suffering, weakness, and longing. Yet God has prepared His people for resurrection and has given the Holy Spirit as the first pledge of the life to come. Therefore, Christians can remain courageous. We do not yet see the fullness of what God has promised, but: “We walk by faith, not by sight.” Walking by faith does not mean ignoring reality. It means trusting God’s promise even when our present condition is weak, uncertain, or painful. Whether in this life or before the Lord, our highest desire should be to please Him. Saint Peter teaches that because Christ suffered in the flesh, Christians must adopt the same obedient attitude. They should no longer spend their lives following uncontrolled human desires but seeking the will of God. The time that remains should be devoted to prayer, self-control, intense love, hospitality, and service. Every person has received some gift from God. Those gifts are not private possessions; they are forms of grace entrusted to us for the benefit of others. The person who teaches should speak faithfully according to God’s Word. The person who serves should serve with the strength God supplies. Everything must be done so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. In Acts, Saint Peter proclaims the apostolic testimony: the disciples witnessed the ministry, death, and Resurrection of Jesus. God raised Him on the third day and appointed the apostles to bear witness. Peter declares that everyone who believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through His name. The Resurrection message is therefore inseparable from repentance, mercy, and reconciliation with God. In the Gospel, the disciples return to fishing but catch nothing during the night. At daybreak, the risen Jesus stands on the shore, although they do not initially recognise Him. Jesus tells them to cast the net on the right side of the boat. When they obey, they receive an abundant catch. Their human experience and effort had produced nothing, but obedience to Christ transforms emptiness into abundance. The beloved disciple recognises Him and says: “It is the Lord.” Jesus has already prepared bread and fish for His tired disciples. The Lord who calls them to work also feeds, restores, and strengthens them. Paschal faith teaches us to keep obeying Christ even after disappointment. We must walk by faith rather than sight, use our gifts in service, welcome others without complaint, proclaim forgiveness, and cast our nets according to the Lord’s word. Christ can transform an empty night into a fruitful morning.