Rector's Rambling: Easter MMXIII

 Fresco of Christ risen from the tomb
 by Piero Della Francesca

Christ is Risen!

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (I Peter 3:18)

Jesus lives, and because of that fact our lives can be characterized by a lively hope:

Hope that our sins are forgiven.
Hope that we will live forever in heaven.
Hope that we are never alone.
Hope that Christ will strengthen us as needed.
Hope that we can overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil.
Hope that we will always have a place to belong-the Church.

This month is a month of hope for me. I am surrounded by signs of new life. The seed propagator and greenhouse are both full of young plants, and the first of the spring cold frames is filled with broccoli, cabbage, chard, radishes, and lettuce. My new puppy is born, and the equipment needed to train him to be a first rate bird dog is ordered and shipped. Last week I watched films of New York Yankees great world series games (a sure sign that yet another season of baseball is just around the corner!)

And best of all, George is born, and he along with his sisters Margaret and Helen, is growing and learning to love Jesus.

As winter fades into spring, and as Lent flows into Eastertide, I pray that your life and outlook might be characterized by hope and joy. Imagine what it might look like in your life:

If you fully understood that your sins are put away and overcome.
If you saw the good instead of the bad around you.
If you looked forward to the opportunities of each new day.
If you expected Jesus to surprise you every morning with some good thing.
If you truly saw death as the door to heaven and eternity.
May God bless us all with hope, and with a spirit of hopefulness as we experience yet again the feast of the Resurrection of the living Lord, Jesus Christ. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. AMEN!