AN EASTER MESSAGE OF HOPE

It has been written: Today without hope one cannot live. To live without hope is to cease to live.

In the difficult and often confusing world in which we live today, hope, for many people, is something that seems to be in short supply. But hope, I believe, is one of the key Christian attributes and one of the most important gifts we can give to the world today, and nothing brings hope back to life like Easter. I know that for many these last few years have been difficult at best and the burdens and anxieties some families are carrying are truly heavy.

Let’s imagine for a moment what it was like for the women heading to the tomb of Jesus. Saddened by the death of Jesus, they wanted to anoint his broken body. They came upon His tomb, only to find the stone had already been rolled back. They were the first to discover that Jesus had risen. Death has been destroyed and life has been restored. The greeting of the risen Jesus is one of peace.

It can be hard to find the words when we are feeling lost and trying to find our way. The Good News is that God’s word finds us. His greeting on Easter morning is PEACE BE WITH YOU. God’s promise to us is that the heavy stone of worry and grief will be rolled back. God’s life and love is stronger than death itself. Together let’s embrace the hope of this Easter, trusting that God’s life and love will strengthen us and guide us through these difficult times. We are not alone. We journey together in partnership with our God and in partnership with each other.

Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayer this Easter season.

The Lord is truly Risen Alleluia, Alleluia

KEEP HOPE ALIVE