Easter brings a new day of hope says Bishop Peter
The Bishop of East Anglia, the Rt Rev Peter Collins reflects on the events of Holy Week and Easter Sunday when a new day of hope dawns for us all.
Within the liturgy on the night of Holy Thursday, we ascended the stairwell to the upper room and were privileged to sit at table for the Last Supper, during which the new Passover was shared with us through the institution of the Holy Eucharist. At the same table we saw Jesus demonstrate the perfection of his love by washing the feet of his disciples.
On Good Friday, we saw Jesus the Nazarene taken, tortured, crucified. Jesus, the Son of God, innocent and obedient, through sacrifice, became the source of eternal salvation.
At the Easter Vigil, we traversed once more through the history of salvation. We rejoiced to enter into that moment that captures every moment from the dawn of creation unto the end of time itself. Through baptism, we entered the tomb with Christ and joined him in death, so that, as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory, we too might live a new life.
Now, once again we celebrate Easter day, this day that was made by the Lord. Today we rejoice and are glad to bear witness to the resurrection of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ.
The day of hope has dawned, for the promises of old have found their fulfilment in the risen Christ. We stand now in the light that will never be extinguished. In Christ we are given the courage to confront the despair that darkness longs to inflict upon the human spirit.
The evil that is ever intent on enslaving, incarcerating the human heart, is cast down this day. Today the rock is rolled back and we are set free from the tomb of our sin.
On this Easter day we are fully conscious of every place on earth that is ravaged by the violence of hatred and exploitation. On this Easter day let us be peacemakers, let us defend and serve the principles of justice.
On this Easter day, let us offer the assurance of our prayers to His Majesty the King and to Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales and to all who are bearing the burdens and anxieties of serious illness. Let our hearts and minds be attentive to the needs of others. Let our hands do the work that is required.
This is the day that was made by the Lord; we rejoice and are glad. For the stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This is the work of the Lord, a marvel in our eyes.
On this glorious Easter day, let us renew our commitment to the work of salvation, for at the dawn of every single day the risen Lord beckons us to accompany him in his great work.
Happy Easter.