Ukrainian Orthodoxy		Orthodoxie ukrainienne

Rejoice in the Lord Always!

Very Reverend Ihor Kutash kutash@unicorne.org

(The Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem - Palm Sunday)

It is the Sunday of triumph which prepares us for the crowning triumph which we shall celebrate next Sunday. Today Jesus rides in glory into Jerusalem, the city of peace between God and humanity. The people acclaim Him to be Who He really is - the Messiah, sent by the Heavenly Father to save the world.

As the events unfold it is clear that this is not the final victory. Jesus still has enormous trials to undergo. He has before Him the most ferocious battle that can be imagined. There are: the betrayal by His disciple, the trial, the unjust condemnation, the torments, the cross, the incredible weight of all the sins of humanity.

Yet these are but the consequences of the choice He has already made: to fulfil the Father’s will - to redeem humans from slavery to sin, death, their alienation from God, each other and their own selves. If we look at things the way they really are, we shall understand why, even in the Services which convey the pain and suffering of the Saviour, we find notes of joy and victory. It is because we celebrate our Hero’s VICTORY. Step by painful step He WINS each contest and, finally, with His victory shout upon the Cross proclaims that indeed "It is finished". He has won!

Thus, as Saint Paul calls us in today’s Epistle: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. Have no anxiety about anything...!" Alleluia!

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