Hope, newness of life found in Christ our Lord

FROM THE RT. REV’D C. LEOPOLD FRIDAY
THE BISHOP OF THE WINDWARD ISLANDS

I began this new ministry with you, as Bishop of the Windward Islands during the season of Lent, my Ordination and Consecration being on the Feast of the Annunciation of our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

As the Angel Gabriel brought the message to her that she will conceive and bear a son, she was open, free and trusting. She was willing to hear words that went far beyond her own comprehension. {{more}} She knew that these words spoken by the Angel came from God. Therefore, she responded “with a complete surrender and thus became not only the mother of Jesus but also the mother of all who believe in him”….. And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38

This obedience of the Blessed Mother has laid the foundation for the salvation of the World through the life, passion, crucifixion, death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

During Lent, we were called to acknowledge our human weakness, our sense of helplessness our total dependence on God, and that it is through the love of God, we have been redeemed and shall be saved.

Easter speaks of the establishment of a new covenant between God and his people “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant which I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant which they broke, though I was their husband, says the Lord. But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. And no longer shall each man teach his neighbour and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they shall all know me, from the least of them to the greatest, says the Lord; for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.” Jer 31.31-34. This does not speak of an awareness of fact nor of a personal relationship for both are inadequate. What it speaks of is recognition, acknowledgement and commitment.

Recognition of our true condition of weakness and state of helplessness, acknowledgement of our need of God, our dependence on Him, and that it is through the life, passion, crucifixion, death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, that we shall experience the fullness of life, justice, righteousness and peace in the world and our commitment to submit ourselves in loving obedience to the way of our Risen Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, following the example of our Blessed Mother who even when she could not comprehend, submitted herself in complete obedience to God.

The Easter message is one of hope and newness of life found in Jesus Christ our Lord. It speaks of a superior party coming into covenant relationship with an inferior, a covenant relationship based on love, compassion and mercy, for God inspite of his majesty, might and power, being conscious of our human weakness, helplessness and frailty, and being just and righteous chose to relate to us out of love, compassion and mercy for there can be no meaningful relationship of equality between parties generally except it is based on love, compassion and mercy. This is even more evident with regards to a relationship between superior and inferior parties.

In the midst of the realities of our time, the impact and challenge of globalization, the Caribbean Single Market and Economy, HIV/AIDS, violence, poverty and greed, Easter points us to the way of hope: the way of God. In a world of vast scientific and technological advancement, this simple message of Easter may seem beyond our comprehension. But it was our Blessed Mother’s willingness to trust God that ushered in the means of our salvation.

May the Easter Message bring us all to that moment of recognition, acknowledgement and commitment to our risen Lord Jesus Christ and may relationships between peoples and nations be based on love, compassion and mercy. To the honour and glory of our risen Lord Jesus Christ.

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed, come let us adore Him! Alleluia!

My wife Lois, and three daughters Marcella, Malaika and Mikayla join me in wishing you all a blessed Easter.