1998

1st April 1998
Easter: An Ending and a Beginning
An Easter message from Bishop Michael Malone, Catholic Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle.
Is Easter an ending or a beginning? Does it mark the end of life or the beginning of new life? It is both!

Easter marks the end of Jesus Christ's human journey. His life is over. "It is finished" (John 19:28) he said from the cross. But after his resurrection from the dead he explained to his friends how "the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead" (Luke 24:46). His life's journey is complete.

However, Easter is also a beginning. It is the beginning of a new journey, that of his disciples. It is the beginning of our journey too. "I am sending upon you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city, then, until you are clothed with the power from on high" (Luke 24:49).

The disciples are to be empowered by the Holy Spirit, after which they will travel to the ends of the earth "witnessing" to Jesus Christ. Their work begins after Easter, as does ours.

We are sent to witness to Jesus Christ beyond pulpits and churches, to the world. Jesus is bigger than ecclesiastical structures. He knew what it was like to be limited by people's own perceptions of who he was and what he represented.

The cry is often heard in the world today from people who suffer poverty, disillusionment or despair - "give us something to believe in!" Easter reveals that there is someone to believe in, someone who speaks gently to our human journey and invites us to strive for the reign of God in the way we think, act and relate to one another.

Easter has its price though! It is not all euphoric joy and broad smiles of vindication over rejection and death. The price is potential apathy, a disconnectedness, a sense of irrelevance, perhaps even violence. Jesus Christ experienced all these reactions in his own lifetime. We should expect no less, yet the message of love, tolerance and compassion must be told.

Easter says we have someone to believe in who gives us something to believe in. Easter gives us HOPE! A joyous Easter to all!

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