Friday, April 6, 2018

Bishop’s Note: April 5, 2018 - Thursday in Easter Week


 Bishop Eric Menees

Alleluia! Christ is risen! The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia! With this wonderful acclamation, we opened the Paschal Season. Following all the beautiful services of Holy Week, we often overlook the beautiful worship that comes afterward in Easter Week.

Today is Thursday of Easter Week, and the Collect for today is:

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery hast established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Who live the and reign the with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (’79 BCP)

At the Great Easter Vigil I had the privilege of baptizing eight people, aged 7 months to 15 years old. In their baptism, the whole church was reminded of our own baptism and Jesus’ wonderful gift of reconciliation. It was through Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection that we, who accept Christ as our savior, were saved from the punishment due us for our sins. Jesus paid the price and ransomed us from sin and death.

The question for us is not: Did Jesus die and rise again on the third day? No, the question is: How will we respond to a love so immense?!

The Paschal Season’s worship asks us to live lives that reflect the faith that we profess. My hope and prayer for each and everyone of us in the Diocese of San Joaquin is that we, and every Christian, will live lives worthy of Jesus’ sacrifice; that we will rededicate ourselves to Christ and his teaching, and redouble our efforts to share that love with an aching world.

I pray you all a very blessed Easter Week!


No comments: