My dear Friends.

I opened the front door and picked up a fistful of post - a thank-you letter, a catalogue, several letters offering me money and then two items that caught my attention.

The first offered me a Credit Card (instantly rejected) but on the front of the booklet it had this message -
'Life's a journey, so why not enjoy it'.
It made me think of the journey made by Cleopas and his companion that first Easter Day afternoon. They were leaving Jerusalem to presumably go back home to Emmaus and they were far from happy. Life was not enjoyable. The story is told by St. Luke in Chapter 24 of his gospel account. As they walked so the risen Lord Jesus joined them but was not recognised by them. Jesus got them talking about what had happened and why they were so miserable and then he explained to them from the Old Testament why the Messiah had to suffer and die.

That evening, as Jesus broke bread, their eyes were opened and they recognised the risen Lord Jesus and after he disappeared, they rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the others the glorious news. What a transformation - this journey was enjoyable! But what about our own individual journey through life? This also can be transformed when our eyes have been opened and we have come into a living relationship with the living Lord Jesus. This does not mean life is always easy and straightforward - sometimes far from it! But it-Yan be enjoyable in a way which would not be possible without the Lord.

The second letter was from the Bible Society and the booklet with it highlighted a poverty which can so easily be overlooked. Rightly we are all concerned that people in our world have enough to eat - but what about spiritual food? That first'Easter our Lord used the Old Testament to show how he had to die. The New Testament records how Jesus came to fulfil the Old and bring forgiveness and new life to all who turn to Him in faith. But do people today have the opportunity to read, hear and respond to such good news? Apparently so many do not.

The Bible Society booklet challenges us with the words
"Wake up to the Scandal of Bible Poverty".
Chapter headings are as follows:

• More than half the world's languages still want for even one book of the Bible.
• A billion people cannot read but only 3% of languages have the Bible in audio.
• Every 5 seconds someone goes blind but Braille Bibles exist in only 30 languages.
• For a billion people the Bible is a luxury they cannot afford.
• The Bible no longer shapes our own nation.

As Easter people we must open our mouths to tell others of Jesus and the Church must also do its best to make it possible for others to read for themselves the message of the Bible. If Bible Poverty is something that concerns you and you might like to get involved do let me know.

May the Easter message transform more and more lives as we journey through life and may the Bible daily shape how we live.

God bless you
Yours sincerely

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