An Easter message from The Bishop of Southwark, The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun:
Christ is Risen, and He is Risen indeed – alleluia! Through the simple truth of our Christian faith, we have hope and purpose and joy. Christ is risen! The universe is filled with new life. A very happy and joyful Easter to you all!
There are two seasons in the Christian year of preparation. In Advent, we prepare our hearts so that they might become a cradle for the newborn Christ, praying that we might be worthy of his precious birth. We do this with tenderness born of anticipation and joy, giving ourselves so that we, too, might take our place with the Holy Family to walk and watch and wait with Jesus as he grows to maturity, ‘increasing in wisdom in years, and in divine and human favour.’ (Luke 2.52)
Through Lent, we prepare our hearts so that they might become open to the suffering of Christ and his Passion. We do this with a tenderness which is born of sadness, aware of our own sin and the sins of the world. At Easter, our hearts burst with joy as Christ bursts from the tomb. His bodily Resurrection becomes new again for us spiritually, and we feel the power of his Risen life. All has become joy in the promise of the Lord! Everything receives its purpose again. Our whole life is renewed.
My dear brothers and sisters, the world needs this joy. We cannot keep it to ourselves. It is more important than ever, when we tend to hear so much bad news and news that is concerning and troubling, that we are agents of the good news in Jesus Christ, joyful in sharing this with others.
May your hearts be filled with the love of the Risen Christ this Eastertide, with his hope and joy and purpose. And may God bless you and those you love today and always.
