“Come, Receive the Light”

“Come, Receive the Light”

a 2026 Easter message from Fr. Paul Abernathy

“Christ in the Wild” by Kelly Latimore

Dear Mark, For far too long, the Palestinian people have lived beneath a shroud of unimaginable darkness. This darkness has manifested in the form of racism, apartheid, and genocide, so blatant that it seems inexplicable. Millions continue to endure unimaginable oppression. Torture, political imprisonment, displacement, and murder at the hands of a remarkably brutal and racist regime are all regular parts of Palestinian life. Despite the darkness that has lingered over Palestine for so long, something remarkable is happening. Soon, Palestinian Christians will gather together in their churches for the Feast of Feasts, the Resurrection of our Lord God and saviour Jesus Christ. Many of them will stand in churches located where the Risen Lord walked in the dead of night, when clergy will emerge with ornate bright shining paschal candles and make a bold invitation; “Come, receive the Light!” This Light, originating at the tomb of our Lord – the Holy Fire as it is called – will then be sent to every corner of the world as a Divine proclamation of Christ’s Light. There is indeed a Holy Fire in Palestine, and the night of Israeli oppression can never overtake it.

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Read Fr. Paul’s full reflection

Through all of the blood, degradation, theft, and injustice, Palestinian Christians have carried the fire of Divine Love within their hearts. Just as Israeli aggression and oppression has darkened that Holy Land, Palestinians have manifested a Divine Light for all to see, calling the world to peace and justice that can only be established by God’s love and mercy. This love is at the heart of Sabeel’s pursuit of just peace in Palestine. Despite the racism, genocide, apartheid, and oppression, the sin of hatred and injustice can in no way withstand the fire of Divine Love that is firmly planted in the Palestinian heart. They bleed, and yet they love. They suffer insults, and yet they love. They are imprisoned unjustly, and yet they love. They mourn their children murdered in their homes, and yet they love. By this love, they will conquer. This Easter, let us allow ourselves to be moved by this Holy Fire to offer our unyielding support for one of the most important movements in human history. The voice of peace and justice inspired by Divine Love rising from Palestine is irresistible, and Sabeel is at the epicenter of this Divinely inspired movement. To be a friend of Sabeel is to be a friend of the oppressed. To be a friend of Sabeel is to be a follower of Christ. Let us join Sabeel with our prayers, with our money, and with our time. Please make a donation to our work today. Let us join them with all our hearts, that we too may catch this Holy Fire, and in so doing enter the just reign of the King of Peace, Christ Jesus our Lord, to whom be due all glory, honor and worship, together with His unoriginate Father, and His all Holy and good and life giving Spirit always now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.