Bishop's Easter Message

 

Matthew's gospel account of the Easter story has always been particularly meaningful for me because of the Resurrection stained glass window above the altar at St. Paul's Dunnville where I served as Rector before becoming Bishop (image right). You can tell that it has been inspired by Matthew's gospel because of the presence of the guard of soldiers that Pilate, the chief priests and the Pharisees arranged to have posted at Jesus' sealed tomb. This was done so that they could secure the site and to make sure that as the stone was rolled into place this would be the end of the story!

The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone. (Matthew 27:62-66)

Matthew's account of the resurrection of Jesus is the most dramatic of the Gospel accounts with earthquakes, flashes of light and an angel rolling the stone back to reveal an empty tomb. My favourite part, however, is what happens to the guards, who shook with such fear that they “became like dead men.” 

At Easter we celebrate the power of God's love for all humanity that rolls back the stone from the tomb of death and from the death dealing forces of this world. We rejoice in the knowledge that there is nothing in this world that can hold back the glory of Christ's risen presence breaking through into our lives and into the lives of others.

Many times in the course of my work as Bishop, I have to remind myself of that fact.  Sometimes in my work I get frustrated or despondent about a particular situation in the diocese and many times as I look at the state of the world I question whether the forces of hope and love and peace can prevail.   I must also admit that many times I am guilty of underestimating the Easter gifts of resurrection, restoration, reconciliation and renewal in my own life and in the work that God calls us to engage in together.

In Lent many of us have been reading Desmond Tutu's book, In God's Hands. In the book the Archbishop talks about Easter: 

God refuses to give up, and we who are enlisted to be fellow-workers with God know that the only reason we continue is that Death did not have the last word; that Good Friday was not the end of the story.  The story culminates on Easter Day, so for ever we know that good WILL prevail.

I give thanks for all the many ways that God has manifested this truth in our churches and ministries across the Diocese of Niagara! 

Susan and I wish you every blessing in this Easter season.    

                  Bishop Michael Bird