In Our Lord Jesus Christ, We Are Victorious!
As I travel throughout our Diocese, I meet so many wonderful people who express their gratitude for all of God’s blessings in their lives. At the same time, I meet many people who ask for prayers in light of the suffering they are experiencing and the crosses they are carrying. Some are coping with cancer and other serious medical conditions. Others are emotionally distraught due to the overwhelming pressures present in their lives; still others are battling addictions that have a firm grasp on them at this particular time. Many are also dealing with the hurts that family members and friends have caused in their lives. In reality, all of us who follow in the footsteps of Christ share in His sufferings.
Whenever individuals ask me to bless them and/or to pray for them, I am deeply edified and inspired by their profound faith and trust in Almighty God. They believe firmly the truths we celebrate in a special way in this Easter Season: Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. He is alive and with us. They find their hope in the promise of Easter: In and through His suffering, death and resurrection, Jesus Christ has destroyed forever the power of the darkness of this world and has raised us up to new life.
In word and deed, we must always strive to echo the words of Saint Paul in the Letter to the Galatians: “I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given Himself up for me” (Gal. 2: 19-20). When we humbly acknowledge our dependence on God, when we listen to the Lord in prayer and regularly come to Him in the Holy Eucharist and the other Sacraments, then Christ is in us, and we celebrate anew His victory. It is my hope and prayer that, throughout this Easter Season and always, you will live in joyful hope!
In this Easter Season, I encourage you to renew daily your baptismal promises, including your commitment to be His authentic witness in the world. May others experience your confidence in the Lord’s abiding love. Seek to comfort those who are suffering and carrying heavy crosses and share with them the truths we celebrate especially in this sacred season. Know that God will use us as His instruments in bringing life to those in most need. What a powerful way to witness to the Risen Lord and for people to see that we live confidently “by faith in the Son of God who has loved us and given Himself up for us.”
May Our Risen Lord Jesus bless you and your families with His peace and keep you always in His care.
Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge