Sorrow of Death and Joy of Resurrection

We will be remembering the departed on this Sunday.

Most of us will try to visit the cemeteries where our departed ones are buried or give their names to the priest to remember them in Holy Qurbana. Of course it is very important that we should remember our departed ones and pray for them. Very often when we do this there is sorrow and melancholy in our mind.

Even though every day during the Nicene Creed we say that,"And look for the resurrection of the dead and the new life in the world to come" the real experience of resurrection last only for few days a year during the Easter time. The rest of the time we are in sorrow for the departed ones. When Aaron died Jews observed 30 days mourning. They did the same when Moses died. But Christ converted the sorrow of Jairus within few days by giving life to his daughter. He did the same to the widow of Nain by giving life to her son in a short time after his death. He converted the sorrow of many people by giving life to Lazarus three days after his death. Christ Himself converted the sorrow of His disciples by his resurrection on the third day.

Death is the end of the first life and the resurrection is the beginning of the other world. By His resurrection God gave humanity the blessing of resurrection. John wrote in 5:29,"for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out". St Paul wrote," where, O' death is your victory? Where O' death is your sting?" (1 Corinth 1 5:55). While we remember the departed ones with sorrow, we should not forget the resurrection waiting for them.