Catholic Diocese of Broome

The image of fire as a destructive force has been indelibly imprinted on our minds in recent weeks as the Victorian bushfires claimed many lives and destroyed so much property, the works of human endeavour. These fires have been the cause of great suffering that has torn at the heartstrings of the nation. At this Lenten time the country continues to weep at the sight of the resultant dispossession and anguish. As the raging fires subsided, often all that was left were mountains of ash.

In many ways we can say our Easter begins with ash as on Ash Wednesday and ends with the fire of Holy Saturday. The Easter Fire will be blessed then and lit to celebrate ‘Christ Our Light’. As these words are intoned by the celebrant the congregation will raise their candles and proclaim in song, ‘Thanks be to God’.

The magnificent feast of Easter and all that goes with it is a faith-filled collection of choice offerings that lead us to a greater appreciation of God’s love for humanity and for each one of us individually.

Easter is about salvation, conversion and reconciliation. It is about remembering and thanksgiving. It is about rejoicing and hoping. And it is about preparation for new life.

As it was by one man that death came, so through one man has come the resurrection of the dead. Just as all die in Adam, so in Christ all will be brought to life. 1Cor 15:21-22

With the help of our Easter Liturgies we give thanks to God for His powerful act of love poured out for us in the sacrifice of His son. It is such a pity that too often we appear to regard this loving act with near indifference as though our senses are completely dulled; as though the passion, death and resurrection of Christ was a minor headline on the back pages of history. It is no wonder that we have such trouble coping with the great disappointments of life when we refuse to make the effort to glimpse the heights of this blessed moment in time that plainly is there to sustain us.

We are at peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; it is through Him, by faith, that we have been admitted into God’s favour in which we are living… Let us exult too in our hardships, understanding that hardships develop perseverance, and perseverance develops a tested character…When we were still hopeless, at the appointed time, Christ died for the godless…it is proof of God’s own love for us, that Christ died for us while we were still sinners. Rom:5:1-8

Christians are a remembering people. We recall in worship the mystery of God’s love and make the mystery ever-present in the community, encouraging in each other that conversion which will bring us closer to the holiness God has in mind for us.

Your minds, then, must be sober and ready for action; put all your hope in the grace brought to you by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Do not allow yourselves to be shaped by the passions of your old ignorance, but as obedient children, be yourselves holy in all your activity, after the model of the Holy One who calls us, since scripture says, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’ 1Peter 1:13-16

It began with ash on our foreheads. And now we pray that the Easter event we celebrate will end with fire in our hearts for the love of Jesus Christ. May we come to live our belief confidently and enthusiastically. May the light of Christ, rising in glory, dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds.

I wish you and your families all the light and power of a faith filled Easter.