Rebates, cash incentive bonus, cash back programs, savings coupons, earned credit and household deductions, and energy tax benefits all have something in common. They all are redeemable programs which promise us the opportunity to save money and make our hard, earned dollars stretch just a little bit further. Which brings to mind a question. How many of us truly take advantage of all these free programs? It is interesting to note that many of us, if not all of us, often time view these incentive programs as gimmicks with rules and regulations which are more apt to defraud us, and, in the end, cost us more money. The proverbial comment, "With no strings attached," comes to mind, and somehow becomes the standard bearing quip when we view something as, "Too good to be true."

The Church also has a variety of incentive programs. Christ in the four Gospels so clearly illustrates what kind of a future we have in store for us, most especially the promise of eternal life, and yet, how many of us believe in the promises Jesus made over two thousand years ago? Even His own followers had difficulty in understanding His message. "Destroy the temple and in three days, I will rebuild it," Christ was accused of saying at His mock trail before the Sanhedrin. He also stated with conviction, I am the light of the world. He who walks in this light will never be in darkness." Again, Jesus proclaims, "I am the bread of life. He who eats of this bread will never hunger," and one of my favorites, when speaking to the Samaritan woman, Saint Photini, tells her that, "Whomever drinks of this water shall never thirst."

Sometimes Christ’s words are so difficult to comprehend. What is He? Is He the bread, or the water? Is He the door? Is He the shepherd who knows each one of us even before we were? All very plausible ideas, but not very realistic. After all, we are not good with metaphors and riddles, and parables, the most prolific teaching tool of Christ, are what can only be deemed as confounding and confusing data transmissions. We are curious, but look to concrete, explainable ideas, and not conjecture, rumor, or hearsay. We do not desire truth. Rather, we demand truth, believe we are owed the truth, and, then beyond all comprehension, ask for proof. It is as if we all place Christ under a microscope, or bring in criminal investigators to find the forensic truths with indisputable evidence and overwhelming proof. The apostles and His disciples were no different.

They too demanded and felt they were owed better explanations from Jesus. When Christ asked His closest followers, the apostles, to remain vigilant in the garden of Gethsemane while He went off to pray in solitude, they went to sleep. When He counseled them as to the events which would unfold leading up to His death, they were more concerned with who would take over. They were absolutely, positively clueless. They had known Jesus for three years. They had covered the entire Judaic/Galilean region. They lived, broke bread, and shared a common living space, and did not understand Christ’s ministry at all. The New Testament, if it were written today would not be known as the Book of Gospels, but probably be defined as, "A three year trek through the desert," or "Unknown treatises in an unknown language," or even, "My personal three year marathon to extinction."

The events of Pacha have unfolded for us unlocking secrets which even the disciples and close followers of Christ had difficulty understanding. The accounts, after His resurrection are mind boggling. In one such account, we read about two disciples of Christ going to Emmaus, which is approximately seven miles from Jerusalem, after the crucifixion and on the third day. They waited for the resurrection to take place, and when it did not occur as they expected, decided to return home. Maybe it was a rouse. So off they go to return home. On the road, they are joined by an unknown person who it seems is oblivious to the events of the past several days in Jerusalem. They walk for seven miles and listen to his words. Seven miles! They walk for more than three hours, and have no clue as to the identity of the stranger accompanying them to their home. It is not until evening has descended and they invite this stranger to stay with them to partake of supper by breaking bread that they realize He is no stranger at all, but Jesus, Himself, Resurrected. Upon being enlightened as to the hidden identity of the Messiah, Jesus vanishes before their eyes and they immediately dash off back to Jerusalem to report to the cloistered apostles gathered together in the upper room what they had witnessed. Let us all for a moment try and truly comprehend what really took place. They walked seven miles and up to four hours later they recognized not a stranger but Jesus Himself.

The promise Christ made to His followers still unfolds for us today. We celebrate the events of Holy Week. We listen to His words of life. We are intent on commemorating His holy resurrection, but do we really understand? Today, we are not addressed in parables. We know their meaning and intent. There are no hidden, incomprehensible meanings. Christ is truly risen from the dead. His guarantee of eternal life is fact, not fiction. The days following his glorious resurrection will be filled with the most identifiable proclamation: "Christ is risen," and "Truly He is risen." Soon, unfortunately, we will all forget about the resurrection. We will tuck it away, or box it up. The ardor to receive the first light of Pascha will be replaced by barbecues, manicuring lawns, slipping into bathing suits, and embarking on vacations. Interestingly enough, the church will still proclaim His resurrection each and every Sunday through the divine liturgy. The church will offer all kinds of rebates and rewards more numerous than the government energy incentives we currently are exposed to. The longer days, increased sunlight, and warmer weather will guide us away from the promise of eternal life, and towards numerous mundane excursions. Yet, someone somewhere will decide to take a walk, or drive and discover that they are not alone. It will be Jesus discussing the events of the glorious resurrection. Listen. Be aware, and know that He is ever vigilant, as He awaits for our illumination to be complete.

Summer is not a time off, but simply an opportunity to spend more quality time with God. Believe in the resurrection, and there is hope. Witness the resurrection, and there is forgiveness. Look for the specially marked savings this summer at church. Each and every Sunday, come and witness the resurrection, and find redemption through the holy and precious body and blood of Christ. I can’t think of a better incentive. This one lasts a lifetime and to all eternity.