HIDDEN VALLEY: THE SUNDAY OF THE MYRRH-BEARERS

Fr. Rodney Torbic: "The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, Joseph of Arimathea and the Myrrhbearing women are inspirations and examples for believers in every century."

The Sunday of the Myrrh-bearers

Mark 15:43-16:8

Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid. And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid. (KJV)

The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark

Mark 6:7-13

And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. (KJV)

Hristos Voskrese! Vaistinu Voskrese!

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

Hristos a inviat! Adevarat a inviat!

Great joy radiates in God’s Holy Church. The Lord Jesus Christ’s Resurrection continues to be celebrated throughout the world. Jesus Christ’s triumph of Life over death is the reason for the great celebration.

Hope replaces despair. Light replaces darkness. Eternal life replaces life ending at death on earth and in the grave. Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ have reason to be upbeat with the rising of the sun each day.

Believers have reason to hope when faced with difficulties and adversities.

The Lord Jesus Christ showed He can triumph over the cross, death and burial. Believers turning to Christ in faith and hope have reason to remain optimistic.

The Myrrhbearing women went to the tomb expecting that Jesus remained entombed. The women heard the world- changing message, “He is not here. He is risen!”

The message that ‘Christ is Risen!” has resounded through the centuries. The message that “Christ is Risen!” has shed light in the darkest hours of every century.

Hope arises with the words: “Christ is Risen!”

Patients in intensive care units find hope in the message that Christ is Risen! Believers in concentration camps find hope in the message that Christ is Risen! Men and women on death row find hope in knowing Christ is Risen!

God’s Holy Church keeps the message of the Resurrection alive. Martyrs have given their lives through the centuries in defense of the Crucified and Risen Christ.

Today the Church is mindful of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark. The faithful Apostle and Evangelist Mark was dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ to his very last breath.

Believers have reason to give thanks to the Lord God for the courageous women that went to the tomb to anoint the Lord Jesus. Today is a day to give thanks to the apostles and martyrs through the centuries witnessing for Christ.

This is the time to be thankful to believers through the centuries remaining faithful to God’s Holy Church. Faithful believers have lived, suffered and endured in faith because Christ is Risen.

Faithful believers have shared the message from generation to generation that Christ is Risen. Contemporary believers are challenged to forever remain faithful to Jesus Christ under all circumstances.

The Crucified and Risen Lord will not disappoint the faithful. The Crucified and Risen Lord brings joy to the faithful. The Myrrhbearing women experienced the joy of knowing Christ is Risen!

Believers of each century come to know the joy that Christ is Risen! God’s Holy Church manifests and incarnates the love of Christ in sharing the message that Christ is Risen!

The courageous women going to the tomb had courage similar to Joseph of Arimathea when he asked for Jesus’ body. To show strong interest in the Crucified Christ was an act that set the person apart from others and showed love for Christ.

Each believer today is challenged to show love for the Crucified and Risen Christ. Each believer is to take the initiative to seek out Christ and stand for Christ in all circumstances.

The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark, Joseph of Arimathea and the Myrrhbearing women are inspirations and examples for believers in every century. Let us commit to having the same strength of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

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The Sunday of the Myrrhbearers. The Holy Apostle and Evangelist Mark. April 25/May 8, 2022.

Hidden Valley, Pennsylvania. Father Rodney Torbic

HIDDEN VALLEY_ THE SUNDAY OF THE MYRRH-BEARERS 2022

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