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March 18, 2008
My dear Fellow Pilgrims,
I address you as “fellow pilgrims” because, like me, you are coming through the demanding season of Lent and Passiontide. This is a time of new insights and spiritual growth as we deliberately attempt to walk in His steps and realize even more fully the profound sacrifice He made for us. The more we comprehend the magnitude of His sacrifice, the more perspective we gain on our own personal struggles.
Our struggle as Biblically-faithful, orthodox Anglicans has not been easy, but then neither was the Way of the Cross. Just as the Via Dolorossa and Calvary’s Hill ultimately led to the joy of the empty tomb, so we pray that our trials will be but a small price to pay for the joy to come – the Joy of Easter.
I already have told some of you the deep emotion I felt when I first viewed the movie “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. The tragic scene of the body of Aslan lying on the marble altar after willingly sacrificing his life to save the boy leaves one with tears of sorrow and defeat. Then, after the loud explosion and the shot of the empty Altar split in two, the sight of Aslan striding forth in all of his splendor and power while his demonic enemies are being destroyed, has to be one of the most powerful images of Resurrection I ever have witnessed!
In our life and work together, following the joy that came with our so very decisive votes of a month ago, we now are moving through the difficult period of transition as we begin to put a new system into place. It is my prayer that when that is accomplished, we too will stride forth with a bright new image that fully reflects our faith and joy in the resurrected Jesus and in His Holy Word.
May the Joy of this Easter Season have a profound and lasting effect on us all.
In the Risen Christ,
+Donald
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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