17 April 2025
EASTER 2025
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ
“Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed Hallelujah”
“The strive is o’er, the battle done;
now is the victor’s triumph won;
O let the song of praise be sung:
Alleluia
(Hymn 78 F. Pott (1832-1909) Hymns A&M New Standard)
We have yet again journeyed through Lent from Shrove Tuesday (04 March 2025), Ash Wednesday (05 March 2025), weekday and Sunday services to Palm/Passion Sunday, Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and finally Easter Sunday (20 April 2025) and the wonderful celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord. This journey was again
accompanied by our Lenten Pilgrimage through the Diocese, and we are grateful for your generosity in spirit and kindness as we walked along-side each other, seeking stronger relationship with God and one another.
And the Easter story, starting with Palm/Passion Sunday right through to the (Mass of the Dawn) service continues to inspire with different parts to it:
1. Revd. Andrew Thayer (An Episcopalian Priest: in a column in the Times) presented the Palm/Passion Sunday procession into Jerusalem as not only procession, but as protest against; a rebuke and mockery of the structures of power represented by Pilate and the Roman Empire and their display of power with flags, parades, marching bands, and officers with epaulets lording it over the poor masses from up high. It sets the church on trial forced to choose between supporting Empire or siding with the poor, marginalized people and the choice in
whatever direction will always be costly with only one leading to freedom, holy living, and eternal life in Christ.
2. Every day in Holy Week from Monday to Thursday therefor represents opportunity to identify with a new kingdom of the wretched, longing to be free of spiritual, financial and political domination and to take their rightful place as human beings created in the image and likeness of God in a world where there is no male or female, bond or free, Greek or Jew, but where we can simply be children of a loving, caring and compassionate God. It ends with the Institution of the Eucharist and demonstration of servanthood with the washing of feet as an act of
obedience and humble service.
3. The Lighting of the First fire from which is lit the Paschal Candle symbolically dispelling darkness and re-introducing us to “Christ our light” accompanied by the joyful singing of the Easter Proclamation.
4. The Liturgy of the word tells the story of the Liberation of God’s people and God acting on their behalf from creation, through disobedience, separation, being sold into slavery, the obedience of Abraham, restoration, escape, and the promise of a renewed covenant.
5. We renew our baptismal promises and sing the Litany of Redemption as a reminder that resurrection is brought to us, through the Risen Christ and we participate in His body and blood, not just as remembering, but as re-enactment of this salvific act.
We leave behind the disappointment, defeat, and sorrow of the cross to embrace the hope and joy brought about by the knowledge of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Easter represents a transformation not only for the disciples of Jesus, but for each one of us given the assurance that we will share in the resurrection life of Christ. In it we come to
know and experience the love of Christ for us and the promise of eternal life to be found in relationship with Him. It is more than promise or hope, it is fulfillment.
In like manner Christ continues to offer us, resurrection life, peace, and joy to a broken world, hurting and struggling with all kinds of abuse, war, and violence. We are given assurance that this will also come to pass, and that God’s reign of peace and joy is ushered in by the Christ who stands in our midst and offer us His peace, unlike that offered by this world. Easter and
resurrection life ends fear, timidity and uncertainty and gives courage, boldness, and willingness to venture into the unknown and to take calculated risks in pursuing a better world. May we continue to take up and support the plight of our brothers and sisters caught up in violent wars, occupation, and genocide as we seek for peace and justice for all.
Let us continue to reflect on ways in which we can make palpable the compassion and love that our Risen Lord offers to all in places of darkness, pain, suffering, and abuse. Ours is and will be to restore the dignity of those removed or exiled from their accustomed homes and comfort and to respond to the call to seek justice and to offer compassionate love and care to the
vulnerable and those displaced. Let this Easter make us Neighbour’s, friends, and fellow pilgrims on a journey with the stranger, the marginalized, oppressed, and poor of the world. Let us revive and re-kindle the Easter faith of the disciples that turned fearful timid followers into courageous bold leaders prepared to venture beyond the tragic death of the cross into
resurrection life as a place of forgiveness and reconciliation and the beginning of new life.
Easter calls us to encourage with renewed passion the witness of our faith by the living testimony of our lives and the sharing of the good news that makes reference to the empty tomb as pointing towards resurrection life. Christ is Risen, Him, we follow and declare unto a world hostile and broken as the fulfillment of new life and access to new opportunities of growth. Ester
marks an end to suffering and darkness and calls on us to live by our convictions in authentic ways in service to those in desperate need of the hope and joy brought about by the resurrection of our Lord and God.
May we all enjoy an Easter of joy, peace, and love as we enter this new season in our Liturgical Calendar. May we continue to experience God’s guidance through the Holy Spirit and may He continue to make us one in peace, love, and joy.
Have a happy and blessed Easter.
The Right Reverend Edwin Desmond Pockpass
BISHOP OF GEORGE
