Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Christ is Risen!

Heartfelt congratulations with the feast of the Resurrection of the Lord, the last Sunday of Easter, and the feastday of the Holy Apostle John the Theologian!

Throughout the entire Paschal season we have been reading excerpts from the wonderful Gospel written by today’s saint, John the Theologian. Sometimes we forget that he wrote not one book, but five – the Gospel, Revelation, as well as three catholic (or general) epistles. Remember that along with the Apostle Paul’s letters, the New Testament contains seven other letters. These Epistles are called general or catholic for various reasons. The first is because some of them have no addressee, they are general, written or addressed to all the members of the church. Secondly, the subject matter of these epistles is general; they do not address any concrete questions or problems as the letters of the Apostle Paul usually do. The third reason why they are called catholic or general is because from the earliest times, they have been accepted as genuine by the whole, universal, catholic Church.

Today we heard an excerpt, namely the introductory words, of the First General Epistle of the Holy Apostle John the Theologian. This beautiful letter was written sometime at the end of the first century or at the very beginning of the second, at the end of the author’s life. St. John repeats many of the themes which we see in his Gospel. Repeatedly the sonship of Jesus Christ is highlighted, that is, the fact that He is truly God and not simply a man. Also the idea that it is impossible to love God, while at the same time despising one’s neighbour, is also repeated. The true follower of Christ does not sin, but rather loves those around him. The aim of this epistle is to strengthen Christians in the true faith and guard them from heresy.

Since the author had such a goal, let us today honour his memory by focusing our attention on that short excerpt which was read at today’s Liturgy and reinforce our faith! St. John begins his letter by bringing to mind the truth that the Word of God, the Son of God, was from the beginning, that is He always existed and that He appeared on earth, became a man and was seen and heard by the author. Do you notice how these first verses of the epistle repeat the ideas of the preliminary verses of the Gospel according to John? Afterwards the apostle explains that he wrote so that everyone could have fellowship with him, and this means to also have fellowship with God, for he (John), as an eyewitness and beloved disciple, without a doubt had fellowship with Christ. This type of fellowship leads to joy. St. John continues with the very expressive words that God is light (absolute sanctity) and that in Him there is no darkness (sin). Those who say that they are Christ’s but sin, are liars, because in God there is no darkness. If we walk in the light, that is live a holy life, we will find ourselves in fellowship with other believers and with the saints, and the Lord Himself through His blood will cleanse us even of the smallest sins that could be hidden in us.

Through the prayers of the Holy Apostle John the Theologian, may the Lord God, the true Light, heal us of our our spiritual blindness, so that we may henceforth find ourselves not in the darkness of sin, but in His bright holiness.

priest Alexis