Throughout the world, Christians greet one another at Easter with the words: Alleluia, Christ is risen. He is risen indeed. Alleluia!
So, I offer the same joyful greeting to everyone this Easter, particularly as we face once again the dark horror of war. It is only in Christ that the light of hope and peace can overcome the darkness of sin and death.
From the earliest times of the Christian faith, Easter has been the greatest celebration of the victory of Christ over evil and the consequent reconciliation for humanity with God. Jesus passed from death to life, not only for himself but for all people.
The experience of Jesus, in facing his death and eventually succumbing and dying, touches on the deepest of questions we all must face. We are reminded of this especially when we see a loved one or friend pass into death. Is death the end? What is the new life promised us? Is there a reason for having hope in a new life? These are the questions that arise again in our hearts.
The Corinthians were troubled too as they saw more and more members of their Christian community die and their bodies being consigned to the earth. St Paul helped them with his reflection on the death and resurrection of Jesus.
St Paul began by reminding them that Christ is for us, and his dying was for us, as his resurrection was for us. He encouraged them by making clear that we are heirs with Christ in the Kingdom and if we share in his sufferings, we will share in his glory. Christ’s death must lead to his resurrection and our resurrection. This is the bottom line for our faith in Christ.
We do not see Christ, but we walk by faith. What we can see are the effects of his living presence in our lives with our eyes of faith. When we allow ourselves to reflect on the things that are happening in our lives, we can discern the Spirit uncovering the truth for us and helping us to understand the meaning of things.
Faith is a precious gift and it brings us to praise and thank God for the good things and blessings, and for the constant presence of the Spirit in us in the hard and difficult times.
This Easter we are so aware of the tragedy of the war in the Ukraine. The world is taking in the consequences of this attack on a sovereign and democratic nation, and its threat to peace in Europe. We are offering our prayers for peace and courageous solidarity with the people who are the victims of aggression, unspeakable violence and suffering. The Ukrainians are showing us their great courage and determination, and their faith in the face of overwhelming force.
Let the Spirit of Peace and Justice overcome once more the darkness of envy, domination, destruction and death. And may we let the Spirit soften hearts that have become hard, and so allow each of us to taste what new life can be.