SERVING SOUTHEASTERN MASSACHUSETTS CAPE COD & THE ISLANDS
t eanc 0 VOL. 22, NO. 11
FAll RIVER, MASS., THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 1978
20c, $6 P路er Year
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EASTER
MESS}~GE
Dearly beloved in Christ, "Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining. Have mercy, Victor King, ever reigning. Amen. Alleluia!" (Easter Sequence) These words of an ancient poet give fitting expression to our faith this Easter Sunday. The joyous Alleluia, in particular, echoes well the sentiments of all believers. Praise God, we say, for the Lord has been raised and is still with us. Death no longer holds sway over Him. The power of sin has been destroyed. Christ is Victor and King. The joy of Easter touches deeply the lives of all Christians, for faith also tells us that the Lord by His resurrection has obtained new life for us. As St. Paul expresses it: "You have been raised up in company with Christ." (Colossians 3:1) The Lord's rising from the dead is indeed our promise of resurrection, our hope of glory. We well should rejoice and sing "Alleluia - Praise God" on this day which the Lord has made. Yet, as we affirm that "Christ indeed from death is risen, our new life obtaining," we must, as St. Paul also reminds, "be intent on things of heaven rather than on things of earth." (Colossians 3:2) We must acquire that "spiritual way of thinking" so characteristk of the Christian. (Ephesians 4:23) I sincerely pray that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ will grow stronger in our hearts and in our lives this Easter, bringing us ever closer to faith's goal, our salvation. A blessed and joyous Easter to one and all. Devotedly yours in Christ,
Bishop of Fall River
Resurrection Tapestry at SI. Stanislaus Church, Fall River