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BISHOP'S OFFICE

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.“ 1 Peter 1:3

At Easter, we read the biblical accounts of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and discover over and over again that the facts remain the same and the promise is ever true ... yesterday, today and all of our tomorrows.

The tomb is empty! Jesus has conquered the grave! Christ is Risen!

God’s majesty and power transforms the cross, an emblem of death, suffering and shame, into an eternal and life-giving symbol that reveals the mystery of God’s redemptive love, God’s radical gift of salvation and God’s victory over pain, evil and death.

The Easter story reminds us that no matter what we go through in life and amid the many adversities and uncertainties we face, God’s spirit is always at work in transforming ways in our lives and in the world bringing light into the darkness, hope out of despair, joy out of sorrow, and turning tragedy into triumph. There is nothing too hard for God!

As an Easter people with an Easter faith we make a decision every day not to shrink in fear and doubt and succumb to the pain we experience and the evil and injustice that is pervasive throughout the world. We claim Christ’s resurrection power in our own lives and we choose to live victoriously, embodying and proclaiming God’s love, compassion, justice, peace and hope in the world. We rely on God’s endless supply of grace and mercy and rest in the knowledge that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. We proclaim that we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ who is our hope and salvation and through whom all things are possible.

And we sing with joy and confidence: “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name. On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.” To God be the glory! Amen!