“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, he cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over him. The death he died, he died to sin once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Romans 6:8-11
My dear people,
Easter is upon us. It is the season of hopefulness. What was removed from your heart during Lent so you could participate fully in the Resurrection? What did Jesus cultivate new in your heart for the Spring so you can be closer to Him?
Just a few days after Jesus died, was buried, and risen from the dead he encountered his dear friend, Mary Magdalene, her broken heart evidenced by her tears. He feels her profound grief and asks the obvious question, “Why are you weeping?” Jesus then follows up with a question that invites multiple layers of response. “Whom are you looking for?” Have we not experienced that this last year; the grief, the longing for each other, the losses we have all experienced on so many levels, looking for something we cannot touch? The question also begs this one, “What are you yearning for?” Lent gives us the opportunity to sort out what doesn’t belong in our heart and answer this last question. What did Jesus cultivate in your heart for the Spring?
In April’s issue of The Winged Lion, we read about the hope of our R.C.I.A. participants who will be fully received into the church at the Easter Vigil, hope of changed hearts with the coming of Spring, and find the opportunity of finding salvation through the first of many courses coming back to St. Mark.
I challenge you during the Easter season, to spend a few minutes during your prayer time each day reading the Gospel as part of your meditation and turn towards the hopefulness of the resurrection of Christ.
Peace to you and your family.
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