In the beginning was the Word, and the Word
was with God, and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God; all things
were made through him, and without him
was not anything made that was made.
In him was life, and the life was the light
of men. The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
(John 1:1-5 RSV – Paschal Gospel Reading)

PASCHA 2010
TO THE REVEREND CLERGY AND FAITHFUL OF THE DIOCESE OF THE WEST

Dearly beloved,

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

I greet you with these glorious, life-filled words on this Day without night. The prologue of the Gospel of St. John, quoted above and read at the Paschal Liturgy, reminds us of the ultimate victory of this Day. The Lord Jesus Christ is the eternal Word of God, expressed by the Father, and the Creator of all that exists, including each and every one of us.

He did not create a world destined to be consumed by sin and death. Those created in His image and likeness were not put on this earth condemned to never know life and light. The Lord Jesus Christ is life and He fills everything with Himself, and nothing can extinguish that Life. Sin and death reigned for ages until His coming, but now are rendered powerless. We share in this victory on this day, and darkness has not and cannot overcome it.

We live in times that may seem overly anxious and dark. Our nation and people face recession, terrorism, wars, mortgage crises, etc. It has always been thus — there has never been a time without human insecurity, worry, and doubt. But we are not limited or crippled by our human concerns, because the Savior of all became one of us and died for us. We live in the end times — the coming of Christ, His death and resurrection and the gift of the Church have inaugurated the Kingdom of Heaven. There is nothing to fear, and the victory is complete.

Our celebration of, and participation in, the Resurrection of Christ is the guarantee that death has not won. The victory of Jesus Christ destroys death by death. The empty tomb is proof of the authority of the Lord over life and death. Those who follow the risen Christ cannot be held captive by sin and death. Indeed, as the verses of Holy Saturday proclaim, “Today, hell cries out groaning….” Hell has been destroyed and all creation rejoices in the renewal that comes in the Resurrection of Christ.

Beloved brothers and sisters, may the Light of the Resurrection shine brightly in each of you, and every family and parish. The winter of sin and death has blossomed forth into the Eternal Spring of Light and Life.

Let us all enter into this gift and so never again have to fear death.

Christ is Risen! Indeed He is Risen!

With love in the Risen Christ,

†Benjamin
Bishop of San Francisco