Provincial Chaplain shares an Easter message

Brethren, as Easter draws close think back, if you will, to last Easter at which time we were still uncertain about our future and were still suffering endless lockdowns and restrictions. Yet this year that blight has been lifted, at least for now, as we still hope that the worst of the pandemic is behind us even though we still suspect that it could rise again, hopefully with less of a nasty sting.

Our Province has lost many members to Covid 19 and other causes during this last two years and more. There will be an opportunity to remember them prayerfully at  The Lincoln Masonic Centre on 23rd April in a service of remembrance and thanksgiving.  We cannot replace those we have lost, but we can be thankful for their lives and for the friendship and examples they have given to us. The preciousness and sanctity of life is something we should always be mindful of.

 As Easter approaches through the period of Lent let us think especially therefore of the special life which Jesus Christ gave to us in sacrifice because He loved us so much. The Sunday before Easter is Palm Sunday – a day in which we remember Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem, an event which is mentioned in all four Gospels. Easter itself is the most important Christian festival, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus three days after His crucifixion by the Romans.

For Christians the 40 days of Lent preceding Easter is a period of fasting and prayer, a period of meditation and denial to mirror the suffering of Jesus. Inevitably the Easter services are sad, reflective, affairs devoted to the sufferings of Christ,but on Easter Sunday the mood is lifted to one of joyfulness as the resurrection and release from the tomb is remembered. As well as the happiness in realising that Jesus still lived this must have been an extremely bewildering time for the disciples coping with an event which transcended their previous understanding of life and death.

I wish you all a blessed Easter and I pray for all within the Province and your families, that you continue to remain in good health and spirits and that our Masonic renewal of fellowship continues to thrive. Finally let us pray for those less fortunate than ourselves: “Great Architect we ask You to comfort those who are suffering stress in their lives. We ask that You to be with them in their darkest moments that they may receive Your loving support when they most need it. Graciously give them the reassurance that all is not lost and that the inspiration of Jesus’ survival beyond death which we remember at this approaching Easter time will sustain them through the days ahead. SMIB.”