Saint Michael’s Church
Serving God and Bishop’s Stortford since 673
Clergy Letter For April 2007
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CLERGY LETTER FOR APRIL 2007 |
| An Easter Message from the Vicar. |  |
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We look forward this month to the celebration of another Good Friday and Easter Day. As we do so it is important to realise that the death and resurrection of Jesus are not two different events. They are two sides of the same event. It was certainly an event in history which took place on a certain day in a certain place but Christians don’t just speak of Jesus rising from the dead in the past. They speak of him as being alive today. We say “Jesus IS risen”, not “Jesus once rose”. And that means that the Easter message is the message for every day. Our own lives can sometimes display much deadness. Once we had talents but they were never developed. Once we had ideals, perhaps, but we let them slip away. Once we were full of wonder. but we became cold and matter-of-fact. So much has died. But Jesus Christ offers life and resurrection. He offers it to us at Easter, and every day. Nothing is beyond the reach of renewal in him. Because of Easter we can know that, despite all appearances, death is not the end. What passes for destruction and death is not really so. In the end love overcomes hate, life overcomes death, heaven overcomes hell. Because of Easter we can know that those whom we love so dearly can never be lost. Though they pass from our sight they are safe with God and we SHALL see them again. Because of Easter we can know that Jesus Christ has plumbed the depths of all the evil and cruelty and shame that this world can produce, and has risen again. This is the hope of Easter. This is the gift of God to the world in Christ. Nothing less than eternal life. Eternal life for you, for me, for us all. And the way in to it is to follow Christ; to be joined to Him as the branch is joined to the vine; so that his life, his risen life, may flow in to us. To do so we have to die to ourselves. We have to give up being selfish and to refuse to return evil for evil, and humbly reckon others more important than ourselves. Jesus taught us that if we do that we shall pass through crucifixion and know the unspeakable joy of resurrection. That is the joy of those whose minds are fixed on God, and who have discovered the secret of secrets, that living is about loving. These are the great Easter themes: Victory, Life, Triumph. The last word is with God and the last word is Love. This love is so strong that all the enemies of human gladness cannot stand in the way of it, not even the last enemy which is death. Christ is risen from the dead! Alleluia! I wish you all a very happy Easter. Toby Marchand. |
Office Address:
Saint Michael’s Church
Windhill
Bishops Stortford
Hertfordshire
CM23 2ND