Fraternity-Testvériség, 2007 (85. évfolyam, 1-3. szám)
2007-01-01 / 1. szám
te EASTER GREETINGS ' Hungarian Reformed Church in America The Hungarian Reformed Federation of America Mr. Jules Gyula Balogh, President 2001 Massachusetts Ave. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20036 1011 Dear Mr. Balogh Rejoicing with the risen Christ and vigilantly looking into the future with hope during this glorious Easter season, on behalf of the elders and congregations of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, we greet the members and elders of the Hungarian Reformed Federation of America and wish you peace in the name of God, the Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ in union with His Spirit. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ fill your hearts and minds with joy and hope to make your labor and service for the future of your organization. On behalf of the elders and members of the Hungarian Reformed Church in America, thank you for your strong and faithful leadership, your help and your support of the mission we share in Christ’s name. We wish you a Happy Easter. With brotherly love in Christ, Sándor Szabó, Bishop Anthony C. Beke, Chief Elder ttttfttfftt Calvin Synod The greatest celebration of Christianity is the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus on Easter morning. It was this event that made Jesus’ ministry memorable to those who had been privileged to hear him, to spend time with him, and to be his disciples. In the beauty of the Easter celebrations, we sometimes forget what the central event - The Resurrection - means to us. Sometimes we have difficulty appreciating how it affects us. And not having witnessed it, living in another place and time, it is hard to “feel” this tremendous event in our personal lives. But we are not the only ones who received the news second-hand. And others who had indeed experienced the event in person could not comprehend what it meant until they were in the presence of the Lord himself. The wonderful news for us is that we have the opportunity to be in the Lord’s presence, to feel his power. And it is available for each of us - we need only to accept the gift that Jesus offers us. Luke tells us of something tremendous that happened the day after the Resurrection. As two of the disciples were walking to Emmaus, a stranger appeared to them and began walking with them, asking them what they were talking about, and why their hearts were so heavy. They told this stranger what had been done to their friend Jesus, and how he had been killed, how his body had disappeared. In the course of the discussion they invited this stranger to eat supper with them. And then Luke tells us: “When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him...” Jesus invites you - and each of us - to “break bread” with him. We do not have to be perfect, since Jesus came because of our imperfections. We do not have to be sinless and pure, since Jesus came to free us from our sins and purify us. We need only to approach His table with a penitent heart, and he will be there. This Easter Sunday, and throughout the year, we will be invited to the most elegant meal of our lives, the invitation coming from our Lord Jesus Christ himself. Take advantage of His invitation each time you have the opportunity. Learn what Easter commemorates, feel the presence of the Savoir in your life May this Easter be the day when you meet Christ at the breaking of the bread, and may you always recognize His presence in your life from that day forward. Rt. Rev. Koloman Karl Ludwig, Bishop Bishop, Calvin Synod Fraternity - Testvériség / Spring 2007 7
