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Blessings and peace be unto you, the good people of St. Peter,

Hope is central to Easter. It is not just a mere aspiration, desire, or ambition but a hope grounded in the knowledge of what we believe to be true. It is indeed a hope founded on the belief that Jesus Christ is Lord. When the disciples walked along the road to Emmaus, they were lost in despair. They had witnessed the crucifixion of Jesus, and their hope that he was the Messiah had been shattered. However, when the Risen Jesus appeared to them and broke bread with them, their hope was restored. Jesus showed them that God never acts according to what people expect. Easter hope is not just a belief but a way of life. It is a hope that changes things and raises our eyes to broader horizons. It is a hope that enables us to see what Jesus is doing and encourages us to join. As we pass on this hope to others, we become part of the business of hope.

There are many challenges today in the lives of so many people. From refugees fleeing their war-torn homeland, to those without a home to call their own in our own Province. Yet, as Resurrection people, we are called to have hope and to become a beacon of hope for the world. A hope that comes from the belief that Jesus Christ is Lord is not just a mere aspiration, but a hope that can stand even in hard times and lift our eyes to new horizons. Friends, we are called to have hope and become a beacon of hope for the world. By spreading the message of Easter hope, the Church can ultimately transform the world into a more harmonious and hopeful place for all.

May God be with you always, and may you share the good news of new life to all you encounter.

 

The Reverend Stephanie D. Wood +

 

A copy of this letter is attached below.