Bright Wednesday; The Holy Apostles Aristarchus, Pudens and Trophimus (54-68)
Read
John 1:35-51; Acts 2:22-36
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
Today we hear a beautiful evangelical sermon—the proclamation of the Good News of Jesus Christ—by St. Peter the leader of the apostles. He calls the attention of his fellow Jews by first reminding them what Jesus had accomplished in their midst for three years before his death on the cross: Don’t forget the mighty works, wonders and signs which he accomplished. God was working in him in a unique way like no one else has ever done. There is yet one greater sign or wonder, which you need to know about: This Jesus who you delivered to death, death was not able to hold. Death itself “when it held him, experienced birth pangs and suffered terribly.” (St. John Chrystostom, Homilies on the Acts of Apostles 6). Who can make death suffer, while reshaping it into an experience of transition from life to continued life, but the Author of life? This is the one who the prophet David, in the Spirit, called Lord. Glory to Your resurrection, O Lover of mankind.