An Easter Message from Archbishop Foley Beach
Alleluia! Christ Is Risen!
The Lord is Risen indeed Alleluia!
Hi, I’m Foley Beach, Archbishop, and Primate of the Anglican Church in North America, and on this Easter day, I bring you greetings in the name of our Lord. Of course, all of us have been through such challenging times in recent weeks, months, and even this past year. We’ve just come through the season of Lent, a time in which we are reminded that we are sinful creatures; that we have all fallen short of the glory of God and messed up and seek to make repentance in our lives.
Of course, Holy Week reminds us that God loved us so much that he sent his Son into our world to die for our sins. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” And so he was crucified on Good Friday, and now it’s Easter morning, the day of his resurrection. He rose from the dead and affirmed everything that he said. His resurrection promises us not just hope for now and life abundantly in the present, but life eternal, eternal life with him. “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son that whosoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
I don’t know where this video finds you this morning, or this afternoon, or tonight, but I hope you will find yourself in the presence of the Lord, and if not, that you will open your heart and soul to him this day.
Hear this prayer from the Book of Common Prayer, this is the Collect for Easter Day:
O God, who for our redemption gave your only begotten Son to die upon the cross and by his glorious resurrection delivered us from the devil and the power of death. Grant us grace to die daily to sin that we may live with him in the joy of his resurrection, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ through the blood of the everlasting covenant, the great shepherd of the sheep, make you perfect in every good work working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight, and the blessing of God almighty the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen!