Lord God, our Father, you are the light in which there is no darkness.  And now you have kindled in us a light that can never be extinguished and that will ultimately drive out all darkness.  You are the love that knows no coldness.  And now you have loved even us and freed us to love you and each other.  You are the life that mocks death.  And now you have given us access to this eternal life.  You have done all this in Jesus Christ, your Son, our brother.

    Do not let us – let none of us – remain dull and indifferent to your gift and revelation.  Let us on this Easter morning see at least something of the riches of your goodness: let it enter into our hearts and minds, and let it enlighten us, uphold us, comfort us, and admonish us!

    None of us is a great Christian; rather, we are all very small Christians.  But your grace is sufficient for us.  Awaken us to the small joy and thankfulness that we are capable of, the timid faith that we bring, the incomplete obedience that we cannot refuse – to the hope in the greatness, wholeness, and completeness that you have prepared for us in the death of our Lord, Jesus Christ, and that you have promised us in his resurrection from the dead.  We ask that this hour may serve that purpose.  Amen.

Karl Barth, 1886 – 1968, Swiss Reformed theologian

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Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you