An Easter Message from Bishop Donald Kettler

Someone once designed an unusual Easter card, which looked like a Christmas card.

The upper half of the card had a picture of a Nativity scene with the shepherds worshiping the newborn baby Jesus. The lower half of the card pictured those same shepherds, 30 years later, standing before Jesus’ empty tomb on Easter Sunday morning.

Earlier in their lives they had stood in awe and wonder at the birth of the Messiah. Now they stood in awe and wonder seeing that the Messiah had risen from the dead.

We, like those shepherds, stand in awe and wonder before Jesus’ empty tomb this Easter.

He is not there. He is risen.

His resurrection is God’s sign and seal that our lives are a blessing. His resurrection is God’s sign and seal that our physical death is not the end, but a new and eternal beginning. His resurrection is God’s sign and seal that we are always safe in the loving hands of the Good Shepherd. Even in difficult times, the Good Shepherd walks with us. We will never be alone.

May the hope and blessing of Jesus’ resurrection give you joy and peace this Easter season.

Donald J. Kettler
Bishop of Saint Cloud