A Joint Holy Week and Easter Message from the Archbishops of Armagh

Posted on: April 18, 2019 2:58 PM

We know that, following the seismic events of respectable Friday, the primary disciples were now apprehensive, unclear and deeply puzzled as to where their future might lie. but Easter converted them into individuals of hope in Jesus Christ who brought that hope to these round them, and thru them to the furthest reaches of the regular world. however how?

yes, there became the confidence that actual death could no longer grip them with fear, however additionally a deeper conviction that, through the vigor of Christ, first rate would indeed subsequently win definitive victory over worry and evil. Does Easter try this for us? do we in reality name ourselves "Easter americans"?

inspite of personal opinions on the various crises in eire, Britain, Europe and right through the area, no in your price range person can seriously doubt the stages of anxiety, anger and divisiveness which are corroding human relationships inside and through society and even inside shut-knit households.

We should no longer only pray for the curative of relationships. We must also work fearlessly as "Easter individuals" for the restoration of hope and good relationships with one another and inside a wider society.

Saint Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, writes that he wants to grasp for himself the energy of Christ's resurrection. The Greek observe he makes use of for "vigour" is dunamis, from which we get the note "dynamic", and even "dynamite". This Easter vigor is whatever thing immensely vigorous and strong, not without difficulty an intellectual assent to the actuality of the resurrection of Christ. in the vigour – the dunamis – of Christ's resurrection, we are Christian disciples, called to convey hope and aim into our personal lives and into the lives of others. we are able to do this by our generous love and unflagging courage in phrases and actions, in our sense of effective aim and in our adamant refusal simply to let things take place.

Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

+RichardChurch of ireland Archbishop of Armagh +EamonRoman Catholic Archbishop of Armagh