Bishop's 2012

Easter Message 

“He commissioned us to preach to the people
And testify that he is the one appointed by God.”
(Acts of the Apostles 10:38)

On Easter Sunday, the first reading from the Act of the Apostles tells us how “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power.”  Chosen and empowered by God, Jesus then “went around doing good.” For Jesus, “doing good” meant healing the sick, comforting the sorrowing, welcoming the outcast, casting out evil spirits, and reminding the people of his age that they were indeed heirs of the

Kingdom -- loved and beloved children of God. 

Through the sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation, we have similarly been chosen, empowered, and commissioned by God to bring the Good News into a world in desperate need of Gospel healing. Like Jesus, we are called to bring peace where there is division, to bring comfort where there is distress, to bring healing where there is pain, and to bring hope where there is despair.

The resurrection reminds us that the chains of death and despair have no power over us.  Just as God raised Jesus to new life, so too God raises us to new life and gives us the courage and conviction to continue the saving mission and ministry of the resurrected Christ to the people of our age. As we glory in the triumph of the cross, let us use the new life and new opportunities we have been given in Jesus Christ to be the “faithful” and “faith-filled” witnesses we are called to be.  May we always be worthy of this calling and never fail to lift out voices in prayer and praise.

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.”

(Psalm 118:24)