"It is easy to want things from the Lord and yet not want the Lord Himself, as though the gift could ever be preferable to the Giver."
— St. Augustine of Hippo
Eastertide
Easter Message 2024
Alleluia! Alleluia! HE IS RISEN!
Fyodor Dostoyevsky toward the end of his life divided men into two classes, those who know the Eternal Life and those who do not. He is reported to have said that “the future of civilization, will rest with those who are citizens of eternity.”
When Mary Magdalene began her journey to the tomb of Jesus, dawn had not yet come and the darkness of the morning was reflected in the darkness that existed in all of those who loved and followed Him.
God forbid that we should take this joyful day and to allow it to descend into the realm of hopelessness or pessimism. The darkness of that first Easter Morning was in fact but a gateway to a golden dawn so wonderful and so triumphant as to mark a monumental turning point in human history.
The truth of the message that Dostoyevsky points out, is that the future of Civilization will rest with the citizens of eternity, those who live in a manner worthy of Christ’s Call: “ If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24)
The good news for the days of darkness is HE IS RISEN! It is my prayer that each of us pick up our cross and follow Him in thought, word and deed living in His light!
May God Bless you this Easter Season with the joy of His Resurrection, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost!
The Right Reverend Robert M. Hammond
Bishop Ordinary, Diocese of the West
The Anglican Church in America
Fourth Sunday after Easter
The Collect
O ALMIGHTY God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Epistle St. James 1:17
EVERY good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
The Gospel St. John 16:5
JESUS said unto his disciples, Now I go my way to him that sent me; and none of you asketh me, Whither goest thou? But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: of sin, because they believe not on me; of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged. I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.
St.Stephen's Anglican Church
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