BEAUTY BEYOND THE BREAK

Growing up, many of us have those sweet memories of Easter Sunday, lining up with our red eggs, tapping them against each other’s, seeing whose would stay strong the longest. Back then, I didn’t know that the eggs were dyed red to remind us of the blood of Christ, poured out in love for the world. And the cracking of the egg symbolized the breaking open of the tomb, the moment when death gave way to life.

Last Friday, I had the great joy of spending time with my good friend, Archbishop Elpidophoros of America. We met at the St. Nicholas National Shrine, with other Orthodox hierarchs right there at Ground Zero, a place that once stood for sorrow but now stands tall as a witness to hope.

And in the spirit of Easter joy, we couldn’t resist; we had a little friendly egg-tapping competition, just like kids! As I watched the shells break, I was reminded once again: the empty shell is not a sign of defeat. It was the beginning of new life! The tomb had to open for resurrection to come.

And so it is with our lives. There are times when it feels like things are breaking. Dreams fall apart. Plans are shattered. Disappointment hits. But the message of the empty tomb, the message hidden inside that cracked Easter egg, is this: brokenness is not the end. It’s the doorway to something greater that God is about to do.

Jesus says in John 12:24, “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.” A seed carries hidden potential. When the shell splits, roots stretch downward, and a green shoot reaches for the sky. Calvary looked like the splitting of a seed; Easter morning proved it was the sprouting of salvation.

So, friends, don’t be discouraged when you see the cracks. Don’t get stuck mourning what’s broken. The cracks are the openings where His glory shines through. Keep trusting. Keep believing. What feels like the end is only the beginning of something greater. Resurrection is coming. Life is on the way.

By Bishop Mesrop Parsamyan
April 27, 2025