Easter Message, 2009

Pope Benedict XVI has consistently written on the topic of Hope within the Christian/Catholic context. His recent encyclical “Spe Salvi” is devoted to this topic and here I will offer this one excerpt from the text which in my opinion summarizes his thesis.

The Christian faith has shown us that truth, justice and love are not simply ideals, but enormously weighty realities. It has shown us that God —Truth and Love in person—desired to suffer for us and with us… Hence in all human suffering we are joined by one who experiences and carries that suffering with us; hence con-solatio is present in all suffering, the consolation of God’s compassionate love—and so the star of hope rises. – Pope Benedict XVI, Spe Salvi

The basic thesis for Pope Benedict XVI is that in the midst of great suffering (social or personal) one can experience some deep meaning that can bring a new vision of true hope that is grounded in the will of God for all of humanity. From this we can begin to address personal and social issues. Below is the link and video link of Pope Benedict’s Easter message. Here I would like to offer a quote from his Urbi et Orbi message in which Pope Benedict identifies many of the issue that impact our global family.

At a time of world food shortage, of financial turmoil, of old and new forms of poverty, of disturbing climate change, of violence and deprivation which force many to leave their homelands in search of a less precarious form of existence, of the ever-present threat of terrorism, of growing fears over the future, it is urgent to rediscover grounds for hope. Let no one draw back from this peaceful battle that has been launched by Christ’s Resurrection. For as I said earlier, Christ is looking for men and women who will help him to affirm his victory using his own weapons: the weapons of justice and truth, mercy, forgiveness and love. – Pope Benedict XVI, Easter Message 2009

Pope Benedict’s encyclical and message of Christian hope identifies the Paschal Mystery not only in its historical significance but also in the meaning of social and personal suffering in our lives which is usually the place where we struggle to identify Hope. In this way Pope Benedict’s social and spiritual message is firmly grounded in the Passionist tradition which has seen the redemtive quality of Christ Passion, Death and Ressurection in the suffering of the world today. Consider this powerful quote from our own Fr. Don Senior, CP on the fourth vow of the Passionist which is to keep alive the memory of the Passion:

But there are other reasons for the Passionist vow. Jesus’ death on the cross was a death in the cause of justice. He was executed because he challenged accepted values. He sided with the poor and the outcasts. He condemned oppressive structures. Jesus was a prophet and prophets meet strong opposition.

His cross reminds us that Christians must listen to the cries of the poor. We are in solidarity with those whom society may forget or even exploit. The cross is a sign of justice. To remind the world about the cross is to challenge the world for its injustice and neglect. Passionists are pledged to that challenge. -Fr. Don Senior, CP

Here are the links of Pope Benedict’s Easter Message for 2009. I offer you this for your thoughts and consideration as we begin to celebrate our Easter season. Let me know what you think of the global challenge to the Easter message.

Pope Benedict XVI’s Easter Message 2009