Life in Three Words

Words of hope and encouragement from our Bishop.

"Then from the cloud came a voice that said, 'This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!'"
.......... Luke 28:35 (NRSV)

We live in a world of many voices. The voice you hear and respond to most often will largely determine how you live and the course your life will take. If the voice of greed and selfishness drowns out all others, then your life will be an endless pursuit of accumulating material possessions with regards to only one thing: me, myself, and I. Or, if you hear the voice that calls you into service for others, then your life will be driven to reach out to those who have no voice, and who depend upon committed servants who "lose their lives for the sake of others." In today's society, I invite you to observe the voices that people hear and follow, for at times it is truly frightening to see the places where our loyalties are most often given.

That's why it's so important that I remind you that there is still one voice that speaks to us in the midst of our wandering and our quest for living, and his name is Jesus! You can be sure that the voice of our Lord and Savior still speaks, and if we would only listen to him our lives would be more meaningful and whole.

Out of the Gospel of Luke comes this fascinating story of the Transfiguration. It was a divine moment in the life of Christ when his appearance was changed from the "likeness of men" (Philippians 2:7) to that of the glorified Son of God. The decent of a cloud symbolized the presence of God who spoke acknowleging Jesus as His chosen Son. And the words, "Listen to him" become for us the supreme wisdom of the ages. These three words represent the ultimate essence of life, for God is saying that listening to His Son, Jesus Christ, is the only way to redemption and our only hope for survival. It is life in three words!

Today, I invite you to experience life in all its fullness. I urge you to hear the voice of One whom death could not destroy and the grave could not hold. He still lives, and his influence is greater now than ever because he remains our hope, our salvation, and our all!

"I can hear my Saviour calling, I can hear my Savior calling, I can hear my Saviour calling, I'll go with him, with him, all the way!"

May God bless and keep you all,

Bishop Hayes