Let all mortal flesh keep silent,
and in fear and trembling stand,
pondering nothing earthly-minded.
For the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords,
comes to be slain, to give Himself as food to the faithful.
(Holy Saturday Liturgy, replacing the Cherubic Hymn)
HOLY PASCHA 2014
To the Reverend Clergy and Faithful of the Diocese of the West
Dearly beloved:
Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!
The mystery of the Sacrifice that journeys from the Incarnation, through the Cross, and to the empty Tomb is expressed in the beautiful words that replace the Cherubic Hymn at the Liturgy of Holy Saturday. This liturgy is the very first proclamation to the faithful of the Resurrection. Everything mortal, every one mortal, must stand in silent awe as we witness the depth of the Love that has been crucified and risen to restore us to Paradise. This Love is Himself offered and given back to the faithful in the life of the Church.
Our Lenten journey is finished. Our efforts being fruitful or even fruitless, Christ and the Church bid us to enter into the Resurrection. The tombs are empty, sins are forgiven, we who were dead in those sins are offered Life! Christ is risen and all creation has been changed forever. Christ is risen and we are filled with His grace to live already resurrected as we have died with Him. Christ is risen and we walk no longer in blindness, but rather in the Light, which has destroyed darkness.
May the risen Son of God shine brightly in the heart of each one of you, my spiritual children! May we share the love of the risen Savior with each other and the whole universe! And I say to you all again:
Christ is risen! Indeed He is risen!
Yours in the risen Christ,
†Benjamin
Archbishop of San Francisco and the Diocese of the West
