Rector's Message
Dear Friends and Families
Let me begin by apologizing for us taking so long before updating this website. This was due to the fact that our website masters had been not available due to work related issues. However, we are now up and running again and we promise updates on a regular basis.
Easter has come and gone and we are now standing beyond the tomb of the Risen Christ. During the Lenten period, since the beginning of Ash Wednesday our services and messages were focused on how best to journey with Jesus Christ. This we did by focusing on the resurrection. Our Lay Ministers have been very good with helping people to realize the message of the Risen Christ.
What then shall we say? Mark 16:1-8 tells us that there were three women who went to the tomb of Jesus, having spices to go and anoint His body. To their amazement, He was no longer in the tomb. Terrified and frustrated, they saw a young man sitting on the right wearing a white robe. At first they thought that the young man has removed the body of Christ, but the young man explained to them that He has risen and as He had told them before, He is going to Galilee ahead of them, where they would see Him again. This message they were told to pass on to the Disciples. But to our dismay, because of the fear that had gripped them, they did not convey the message.
Luke in his message in Luke 24:9&11 (NIV) ‘When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others…But they did not believe the women because their words seemed to them like nonsense.’ There are many things that we can learn from these two Gospels (Mark & Luke), but let me highlight just two points:
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It has been difficult for people, especially men to believe what women can tell them. The three women who went to the tomb, according to Mark became terrified to tell the story of the Risen Christ; maybe it was because many a times they were seen as second class citizens. Throughout the Bible men are always depicted to be at the forefront. So poor ladies might have thought that whatever they will tell, it won’t be taken seriously.
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But according to Luke, terrified as they were, the women went forth and told the story. Jesus has risen and they have seen it, that is why they can boldly claim this to everybody including the men. Peter got up and ran to the tomb just to make sure what the women were talking about was true. There he saw the linen wrappings but nothing else; this was the confirmation that He has risen indeed.
Today we as a Christian family are reaping the fruits of what the women have seen and proclaimed. It is my belief that all of us at St. Cyprian’s and indeed all who profess Jesus Christ to be their personal Savior, will enjoy the rest of their Christian journey knowing for sure that Christ died and rose again. Let Easter be realized daily in our lives, and not only once a year.
HALLELUJAH, CHRIST HAS RISEN INDEED!
Be blessed,
The Rector
Fr. David Dinkebogile