The Easter Gospel lesson from John ends with Mary
Magdalene's cry of faith, "I have seen the Lord." Mary --
vigilant, faithful and weeping -- is the first to declare her
faith in the risen Lord. The joyous good news comes after a
vigil of darkness and despair.
The 40 days of Lent have been a time of vigilance for us as
well. With ashes on our brows on Ash Wednesday, we commited
ourselves to be vigilant through prayer, fasting and almsgiving.
We sought to be vigilant and faithful, but our vigilance wavered.
Like the disciples asked to keep watch, weariness overwhelmed our
best intentions.
Vigilance is difficult for us. Our minds wander and our
spirits despair. We forget the good news for which the poor
ache. We neglect our call to be public witnesses in our
churches, in our homes, among all people. We fail to proclaim
God's word.
The good news of Easter morning revives us. Jesus calls us
by name. We, too, see the Lord. We see the fulfillment of
Christ's promise in the empty cross and the empty tomb. We know
joy and discover renewed hope. We remember the fresh waters of
Baptism and reclaim our call to tell the good news to the poor,
strive for justice and peace, show compassion, and be God's
people. From the ashes of Good Friday, a fire ignites and we are
renewed.
"I have seen the Lord!" Thanks be to God.
Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
* Inspired by a sermon by Bishop Paul Stumme-Diers, ELCA Greater
Milwaukee Synod
EASTER MESSAGE 2006
http://www.ELCA.org/bishop/m_easter2006.html
MENSAJE DE PASCUA DEL 2006
http://www.ELCA.org/bishop/m_easter2006esp.html
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
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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
