Easter Message from the Padre

As I write this in the week before Easter, it seems like our whole world is now filled with uncertainty and anxiety about the future. Death and destruction continues in the Ukraine and in the Middle East. Our once solid security arrangements with the United States can no longer be guaranteed, and millions and millions of people around the world on the margins of society, are losing the provision of humanitarian aid, and will enter more deeply into poverty and starvation. Relatively speaking, Australians will probably do better out of this than many others, but whoever gets into government certainly will be struggling with apportioning reduced funding. The long awaited reforms flowing from the Royal Commission of Veterans suicide potentially will not get the funding that is needed for their implementation. All of us with superannuation are watching our balances decrease by the day. How are we to cope with this?

2000 years ago, the people living in the land of current day Palestine and Israel also we’re faced with a catastrophic situation. After suffering under Roman Empire domination, their hopes had been raised by the good work and words of Jesus of Nazareth who demonstrated a new compassionate way of living, brought a message of love for their neighbour and a breaking down of the barriers between different races and cultures. He called on people to forgive others, to ask for forgiveness of others , and to let go of anger that had built up in them. 

On a “not so good” Friday in Jerusalem, Jesus was arrested, tortured, crucified and buried in a tomb. It seemed like the all powerful authorities had destroyed their hope for a future. Three days later Jesus rose from the dead, and sent his followers on mission to make their world a better place.

Jesus taught them that no matter what they experienced, God would prevail, justice would be restored and they could have hope for a future. But they also needed to act. They needed to come together in community, and keep witnessing to the best in humanity, in their works and words. Many were to follow him and this new way of living spread throughout the world. Over time, goodness prevailed, and even the Roman Empire embraced the life and teachings of Jesus.  

Dear friends, do not despair, we will get through this massive disruption to our lives and to world order. I am confident that God will intervene, primarily through the hands of courageous people who rise up and challenge poor policies and unsatisfactory leadership. People of goodwill around the world will embrace universal collaboration and cooperation. Those who do not want to be good world neighbours will experience the consequences of their self centredness.

Humanity seems to go through periodic cycles of life, death and resurrection which are played out liturgically in the Easter ceremonies. We may get knocked down by the more powerful, but God will prevail, goodness will be restored , and in the meantime we all need to do our bit to help those most in need.

Happy Easter,
Kind regards

Gary

Padre Gary Stone OAM