EASTER
2009
Dear
brothers & sisters in Christ,
In face of
the global financial crisis, wars, injustices, persecutions, crimes ,
corruption and immorality, many people are suffering and in despair. However,
for us, believers, we should not be discouraged because our faith gives us
HOPE.
Christianity
is the religion of Christ crucified and risen. Christ redeemed us by his death
and resurrection. As St Paul puts it: “Jesus was handed over to death for our
sins and raised up for our justification (Rom 4:25).
His death
and resurrection removed our sins and gave us justification, divine life. The
apostles started preaching about Christ’s death and resurrection soon after they
experienced Christ’s resurrection. This teaching was handed down orally and
slowly put into writing. The Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles and the Letters
of the New Testament tell us how the apostles experienced the Risen Lord so that
we by accepting their testimony can believe in the Risen Lord also and thus be
saved.
The
Resurrection is the center of our faith. As St Paul says: “If Christ has not
risen, our faith is a delusion, is empty! Our life does not make
sense!
Christ
redeemed us by his death and resurrection. We believe in Jesus who was handed
over to death for our sins and raised up for our justification (Rom
4:25).
Through
Christ’s death and resurrection our sins are taken away and the new divine life
has been given to us.
As so, dear
friends, we live the Easter mystery, we have the light of the Risen Lord in us
ONLY when we recognize, respect and love each other as brother and sister in
Christ. “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in
the dark.” (1 Jn 2:8-9).
Christ is
risen and He wants to light up our lives. Let us share this joyful message with
of our fellowmen
May the
splendour of His resurrection scatter the shadows in our lives and enable us and
our fellowmen to walk in radiant hope towards our eternal home.
He is risen,
Alleluia! A blessed Easter to one and all!
Devotedly
yours in Christ,
Archbishop
Nicholas Chia
