Priest Constantin Sturzu
The Resurrection of the Lord helps us to look back in a new light at what happened in the period before Easter. The Sacrifice from the Cross was the culminant act of self sacrifice without rest of a love which is divinely shared to all.
Everybody shared the regale from Golgotha and nobody remained hungry. But everyone received what he wished and had the capacity to receive. The very same love of God was poured over all but everyone received according to his own heart.
Judas always wanted money. He took the purse where they put the donations (John 12, 6) but for him it was not enough. He wanted thirty silver coins more. He received them and his wish was fulfilled. But the money was of no use for him, it can`t soften a petrified heart, it can`t humble a proud mind. That is why he chose to commit suicide instead of receiving the constant friendship shown by Christ till his last moment. (Matthew 26, 50)
Caiaphas wanted Him hierarch and had the privilege of saying the last prophesy of the Old Law :
`50 You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.` (John 11, 50).
Pilate was afraid for his position because like any real Roman wanted to remain in history. The Lord honored him with the mentioning of his name in the Creed where they say: `in the time of Pontius Pilate`, not `in the time of Tiberius the Caesar ` or `in the time of king Herod`
The Lord made a gift even to Herod helping him to reconcile with the Roman authority by the fact that Pilate sent the Lord to him to judge Him.` That day Herod and Pilate became friends—before this they had been enemies.`
Those who hated Him and blasphemed had the satisfaction of seeing Him tortured and hung on the Cross.
The Roman soldiers shared the clothes of the Lord and they drew lots for his seamless robe (Luke 23, 34).
Their superior, Longinus, the centurion, became worthy, for the openness of his heart, to understand from the signs that followed the death of the Crucified One that ` “Surely he was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27, 54). He believed in Christ becoming a Christian.
After he initially blasphemed Christ, the robber from the right side repented and asked Christ: Remember me, Lord, when you come into your kingdom.` (Luke 23, 42). In this way he took heaven.
The women who followed Him on Golgotha and became myrrh bearers received the gift of being the first to see the Resurrected One.
The Mother of God was given into the care of the immaculate John, the beloved disciple and John in person for going with the Lord on Golgotha is the only one from the apostles who didn`t have a martyr`s death.
Peter was rewarded for his great zeal and even if he denied Christ thrice he was forgiven and reinstated in a place of honor among the disciples.
Thomas – as all the rest in fact – saw his wish accomplished and he was shown the signs of the nails and of the spear on the Body of the Resurrected One.
The Lord took care of all but everyone received what he sought in his heart. God is a generous and gives to all from what belongs to Him. Everyone takes as he wants and either multiplies the talents or buries them or wastes them like the prodigal son from the parable. We are told in the Gospels about the Kingdom of Heaven that it is like a great feast. But the Kingdom has already come and we are already called to the feast of love, being alive.
However it depends on us with what we nourish ourselves. Some want money and fortunes or power and they never feel content. It seems they tried to eat at the table not from the dishes but from the cutlery trying to swallow spoons, to bite from plates and feed themselves from the noise produced by their clash.
Those who seek all kinds of physical pleasures as an aim in itself are like those who crawl under the tables trying to eat the crumbs and blots of food. Only the one who sits with dignity – but with the humbleness of the one who knows his own place – at the Last Supper rejoices for real from the Lamb sacrificed on the altar of love.
All are gifts from God, but it depends on us where we place ourselves and what we choose to receive at this Holy Table that has never been ending for about two thousand years
