My dear brothers and sisters of the Northeast,
As I write to you today, I am overwhelmed by the news that we receive each night and morning. So much seems to be going wrong. We see and hear of daily murders, of shootings at malls, of people who are so insecure that they must mutilate their bodies, of people who have no compunction about breaking the law of God or man. Our news reports are filled with the ever-increasing desire of man to build up self at the expense of anyone else. Such sadness is pervading our world today.
But then I read the lessons that have been lifting our hearts Sunday after Sunday. On that Easter Day, Jesus came amongst his disciples and said, “Peace be with you!” Again, he said, “I am the good shepherd. I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” He follows that with “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” “I will send you the Comforter. … Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” What incredible words we hear. Those of us who are followers of our Lord Jesus need never be afraid. We can always know peace in our hearts because God himself will always be with us, will always be within us. What the world gives us can never be the ultimate, because our ultimate is Jesus. As we move forward into the summer months, let us never forget whose we are. Let us come together each week to worship and glorify him. As we take our summer vacations, let us not take a vacation from God.
Wherever you are on Sundays, take some time to focus on him, to renew the peace which he so much wants to pour into you, to banish the fear, hatred and lies that the world would give you. Fear, hatred, and lies. These come from the evil one. Throw them, and him, away from you as you come closer to the Lord once again. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, be with you this day and always. ——-
Your brother and bishop, +Hendy
