In his first Easter Pastoral Letter, His Grace Bishop Benedict of Sălaj reflected on the burdens of earthly life accompanied by God’s generous presence. He emphasized that the Resurrection of Christ is not merely a future promise but a present reality that allows us to begin tasting eternal life now.
“A beginning is always difficult—but also generous. It brings with it great challenges, even things beyond our strength. God doesn’t give us only what we can carry, but also things that are beyond us, so we may bear them together with Him. That is why the beginning is generous. And this is the measure of God,” Bishop Benedict wrote.
Bishop Benedict was enthroned earlier this April as Bishop of Sălaj, beginning his episcopal ministry just before Pascha. He sees this as a sign of divine mission:
“God appointed that I become your shepherd near the Feast of Pascha, under the sign of a new beginning. I received this calling with firm faith that God is sending me to this diocese. This conviction is what gives me hope as I stand before you, trusting you will welcome me with open arms.”
The bishop pledged to remain close to the faithful, following the model of the Good Shepherd.
When the Present Meets the Future
In his letter, Bishop Benedict reflects on life as a passage filled with joy and sorrow that keeps us grounded in the present. Yet Christ’s Resurrection proposes a new and eternal life—not only a future reality, but one already beginning on earth.
“We struggle to speak fully of the Resurrection because, though present in our thoughts, it still feels distant,” he wrote.
Pascha, he said, becomes the moment when present and future meet, and the believer is invited to experience a foretaste of eternal life:
“At Pascha, we feel the thrill of a beginning. Now the future blends with the present—the promise is no longer just for after death, but is offered for tasting even in this life.”
“This possibility of experiencing eternal life now becomes a guarantee of what is to come. In this way, life in the present gains flavor and fragrance, joy and meaning—while also preparing us for what lies ahead.”
Resurrection as a Daily Practice
To live the mystery of the Resurrection as a daily renewal, Bishop Benedict identified three areas of focus:
The first is the mind. The Resurrection renews our thinking and helps us see life and the world with beauty through continual remembrance of Christ. Citing Saint Isaac the Syrian, he explained that this brings inner peace and weakens passions and temptations.
“As our thoughts are, so is our life. We will strive to think beautifully, to live beautifully, and to see the world beautifully.”
He called this state “positive psychology”—keeping the mind lifted to heaven, as offered to us on the night of the Resurrection.
The Word That Shapes Our Relations
The second area of Resurrection is in our speech and communication. The verbs from the Paschal Canon—to be enlightened, to sing, to rejoice, to celebrate, to praise—express the joy and renewal of the Resurrection, which must also be reflected in how we speak and interact.
“Our words should carry good news, joy, warmth, and enthusiasm, nourished by what we received on Pascha night: ‘Rejoice!’ and ‘Do not be afraid!’”
In this light, he urges believers to speak purposefully and with care: “We are called to share what builds up, to block what tears down. The multiplication of good news or of negativity depends on us. Let the greeting ‘Christ is Risen!’ resound in every corner.”
Resurrection Reflected in Behavior
The third dimension is behavior—living in a way that reflects and supports the words we speak.
“Resurrection is the chance for a new beginning: a change in thought, in speech, and equally in the way we live,” concluded Bishop Benedict.
Photo: Doxologia
