Today, followers of Jesus all over the world are celebrating Easter. While many of us are used to going to our church on the Sunday of the Resurrection to worship and renew our baptismal covenant, for the second straight year, we may find ourselves instead confined at home. This should not deter us from celebrating the good news of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Two thousand years ago, Jesus claimed victory over sin and death by rising from the dead. Jesus is our everlasting hope. Even in the midst of trials and trouble, Jesus teaches us to hold on tightly to his victory and celebrate together. As you go into Easter Sunday, know that there are millions of followers of Jesus celebrating his resurrected life today in unison.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Christian faith. Without the resurrection, the belief in God’s saving grace through Jesus is nullified or void. When Jesus rose from the dead, God the Father confirmed his work of atonement, redemption, reconciliation, and salvation. The resurrection was a real, literal, physical raising of Jesus’ body from the dead.

While some of us continue to be disgruntled by the restrictions to in person gatherings, I ask each and everyone of you to hold on and support our online ministry. All of you have done very well to keep our congregations safe while our parishes were open last year. To me, this is extremely important to mention because the sacrifices we make today will benefit many people tomorrow and for weeks to come. All of you have helped limit the spread of this virus.

Like the risen Lord, His sacrifices were able to benefit many. Jesus offered his life on the cross to save humanity from sin and offer salvation. “This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. Acts 2:32-33.

One of the most profound examples of seeing the goodness of God can be found in the countless individuals who are making personal sacrifices by serving our community, especially all essential and front-line workers. Alleluia, Christ is Risen! The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia!

The Venerable Louie Engnan 

Vicar