Easter Message from Rateb Y. Rabie

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Happy Resurrection!  As we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, our Lord, we can remember his exhortation to take up our cross and follow him. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

During lent, we are careful to follow after Jesus in sacrificing and denying ourselves a personal enjoyment for a period of 40 days, but let us also continue to follow after him on a daily basis as we love and have compassion on others – just as he has loved and had compassion on us. In remembering the sufferings of others, we can remember our sisters and brothers in the Holy Land as they endure occupation, oppression and deplorable living conditions.

When we have compassion on another, we take ‘active’ measures to help change their circumstance.  When God, in his mercy, had compassion on us he took active measures on our behalf and gave his son, Jesus, as ransom for our sin, giving us hope for eternal life with Him.  Oh, what manner of love is this?

During this resurrection, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge you for the hope you give to the Christians of the Holy Land through your support of HCEF!  You are our stalwart! Your continued compassion (active measures taken) on behalf of our sisters and brothers in the Holy Land has helped us remain steadfast in our endeavor to build the ‘bridge of hope’, and lets us know we are not building the bridge alone. Oh, what manner of love is this?  Thank you for the support, compassion, love and hope you so graciously offer!

 ^“For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease.” Job 14 vs 7 

May your resurrection season be filled with joy, peace and hope eternal!

God Bless,