Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I wish you a most blessed and joyful Easter Sunday, and I pray that the Easter season fills you with zeal for the Gospel and gratitude to Our Risen Lord.
Easter reminds us of the gift of our Baptism—whether we received it as infants or just last night at the Easter Vigil. As we read in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans, Baptism incorporates us into the Death of Christ, “our old self crucified with Him…that we might no longer be in slavery to sin.” Just as we die with Him, Paul says, we also rise with Him to new life in God. Our Baptism welcomes us into the unconquerable life of Christ.
So, when we reflect today on the empty tomb, angels in dazzling garments, and Christ victorious over all evil, we rejoice that this miraculous story is our story. Because of God’s total sacrifice of Himself for us, we know that nothing can stand against us.
On this greatest of feasts, know that Our Lord can bring good out of anything, even the severest suffering. Just as His own death was transformed into our salvation, He can use the crosses you and I bear to bring about life. Please be assured of my prayers for you and your loved ones, and remember that darkness will never have the last word. Christ, Our Light, has vanquished it once and for all.
Let us praise the Victorious Lord, amen, alleluia!
+ Bishop Schlert
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