The Risen Lord

We are currently living in a world that can be terrifying to many. There are wars and rumors of war, unconventional and often wrathful politics, and places of worship falling prey to the sacrilegious and profane. With all of the chaos going on around us it is often easy to lose hope for our futures. But Pope John Paul II reminds us, “Do not abandon yourselves to despair. We are the Easter people and hallelujah is our song.”

The Apostle Paul had our future hopes in mind when he said, “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 4:8) When we think on these virtuous and loving characteristics then hope is not far behind.

When we think on these things Jesus Christ is not only resurrected from the grave but in our own lives. Let us not become people of this world when we can have so much more. During this Easter season let us remember that we indeed are Easter people singing songs of hallelujah for a risen Lord!

– Contributed to the United Methodist Women Organization (UMW) Newsletter