Dear Saint Clement Parishioners,
Easter.
Life emerges from the darkness of the tomb, gloom of death, chill of winter, disorientation of grief, numbness of loss, burden of suffering, crush of hopelessness, paralysis of fear.
Easter life can come in an explosion of light, a sweet sign of love, or a gentle word of reassurance. More often it seems that it is imperceptibly flowing within—warming, nourishing, pushing, edging toward the surface. When it shows itself, we remember that it has been there all the time, like the sap that awakes and warms and flows in the trees, moving unnoticed until the bud and the flower show themselves, beautiful and fragrant. This is the visible sign which then makes way for the ordinary time of growth and fulfillment.
Resurrection blooms from the tomb and has its roots in the tree of the Cross.
“Our lives are hidden in God with Christ” (Col 3:3, Lectionary for Easter). We burst forth from the tomb-like experiences of our lives with the life and death and resurrection of the Lord. Not only once in history but in living we are always assured that life blossoms again.
I pray that Easter life might enliven each of you and may continue to flow in such a powerful way in this parish of Saint Clement. May we continue to live in Christ and share his resurrection.
God of Love, watch over your Church and bring us to the glory of the resurrection promised by this Easter sacrament (Sacramentary prayer for Easter).
In Christ the Risen One,
Fr. Kenneth Simpson, Pastor
I thank you for your generosity to Saint Clement at Easter. As stewards of God’s gifts, we Pray-Serve-Give from grateful hearts. Let me add my gratitude for your gifts given to support the ministries of your parish.
Saint Clement Church 642 W. Deming Place, Chicago, IL, 60614 © Copyright 2012
