ELCA PRESIDING BISHOP'S 2003 EASTER MESSAGE
"Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?"
(Mark 16:3) The question which troubled the tiny band of brave mourners
that first Easter morning weighs heavily today. The power of death is
terribly real in acts of terror and threats of war, in the devastations
of sickness and hunger, in tragedies both surprising and all too
familiar. The deadly power of sin -- dividing us from each other and
from God is plainly evident in our world, our lives, and even the
church.
Who will roll away the stone for us? The amazing news of Easter is that
the unmoveable has been moved already. Christ is risen! God has raised
him up! The power of the grave has proven no match for the power of
grace. Sin's thick walls cannot restrain the free flight of the Spirit.
Breathing the fresh, open air of Easter morning makes life both joyful
and more serious. For the love which rolled back the stone has set us
free for love. We are propelled into the world for the sake of every
neighbor, for the healing of the nations.
The stone is rolled back! The risen Christ is out ahead of us, leading
us to life. "This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes."
(Ps. 118:23)
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
-- -- --
The ELCA and other Western Christian churches celebrate Easter on Sunday, April 20. Eastern or Orthodox Christian churches celebrate the Great and Holy Pascha on Sunday, April 27.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
- - -
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
