09/04/2023
Jesus is Risen! He is Risen indeed! Hallelujah!
Resurrection Sunday Greetings
from Rev. Antonio Reyes, LCP President:
We rejoice in the Lord always! The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!
On the third day, Jesus rose from the grave. The tomb was opened not for Jesus to come out from it. The tomb was opened for us to see that it was an empty. He is alive. Jesus, the glorified Lord, could get out of the tomb without opening the door of the grave. He can use all His power to walk passed through walls, but He opened it for the disciples and us to see that He is no longer there, He is risen! The Lord is risen… He is risen indeed… Christ who died for the sins of all mankind triumphantly rose from the dead and defeated Satan and the crippling grip of sin that has pulled us away from the grace and love of God, our Father.
Every year we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our Savior. Every year, we get to be reminded of God’s unconditional and everlasting love for us. But even with this constant reminder, we still lose sight of this gracious act of love from God. We constantly give in to the temptations of this world – our sinful nature has brought us back to fulfilling the urges of the flesh. Add to that the different distractions the world has to offer now. Add to that the everyday challenges we face that distance us from what is important – what is essential.
The Word of God, the Bible, has constantly reminded us of these challenges. Satan and our sinful flesh worked overtime to bring us back to darkness – into our old ways. This is why we need to repent of our sins and receive the forgiveness Christ won for us, and be strengthened by the Holy Spirit through the Word and Sacraments. There is nothing more important than the constant study of the Bible. The Bible always has the exact answer, the perfect counter to every trick, to every temptation the enemy has to derail our saving faith in the risen Lord Jesus.
The Resurrection of Jesus reminds and assures us that “all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:3-4). With this new life, connected to the resurrected Lord Jesus, no matter what circumstances we face and will be facing and encountering in the future – be assured that “nothing can ever separate us from the love of God. We are more than conquerors. As Christ has conquered death so shall we, for it is written by St. Paul in Romans 8:37 - “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height or depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
May the message of the empty tomb encourage us to continue sharing the good news that Christ has died for our sins and rose from the grave and that His resurrection has ensured us of salvation/eternal life through faith in Him. Let us look back at the sacrifices of Christ, the suffering and pain He endured on the cross, His death, and His triumphant victory over sin on His resurrection as the greatest act of sacrifice. A sacrifice He did for us. This is the greatest story ever told. And just as every great story, it needs to be told.
As Lutheran Christians, assured of life everlasting through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and compelled and moved by His love, let us tell His story to the world. Let us tell His story to the ends of the world. Let our lives be a reflection of His everlasting love to all mankind – a reflection of unconditional love of a father to His children.
A BLESSED RESURRECTION SUNDAY TO ALL!
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Prayer of the Church
Easter Sunday (The Resurrection of our Lord)
April 9, 2023
Bible Readings: Acts 10:34–43; Psalm 16;
Colossians 3:1–4; Matthew 28:1–10
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
O Lord, our strength and song, You have become our salvation. Receive our thanks for Your gracious deliverance in Christ Jesus, crucified and risen. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, in Baptism You have joined us to Christ’s death and resurrection and made us citizens of Your kingdom. Move our hearts to repentance, that we would set our minds on things above and be directed by Your holy will. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Almighty God, when doubt and fear weigh us down, console us with the certainty that Christ is risen from the dead and that He rules over all things for our good and greets us with life in His Means of Grace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Lord, lead Your people in Your steadfast love, and guide them in strength to Your holy abode. Sanctify our homes. Be the companion of those who live alone. Make our households places where Your wisdom and grace are found. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power. Grant that all in authority would govern according to Your will, maintaining order and curbing evil, that we may live in peace. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Righteous Lord, You have seated Christ at Your right hand for our deliverance. Remember those afflicted with illness and. Give them health and strength according to Your will. Sustain them in faith, knowing that, for Jesus’ sake, You will raise them in glory on the Last Day. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, our strength and salvation, You delivered Your people from bo***ge in Egypt by means of the Passover lamb. As we celebrate Christ, our Passover Lamb, who has been sacrificed and raised from the dead, bless all who partake of His Sacrament. Cleanse them from boasting, malice and evil, and give them repentant hearts to receive Him in sincerity and truth. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Eternal God, thanks be to You for victory over death through our Lord Jesus Christ. Remember all who mourn. Comfort them with the promise that You love them with an everlasting love, and will raise them and all Your people from the dead; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
