“Light not darkness, love not hate, goodness not badness, life not death will conquer in the end.”
A profound truth
Each year the celebration of Easter, places before us a profound truth – a truth that perhaps we need to hear today more than ever. Even though at times we might struggle to get our heads around the idea, the Resurrection of Jesus leaves us in no doubt that light not darkness, love not hate, goodness not badness, life not death will conquer in the end.
A troubled world
This has a profound significance for our world today that is troubled in so many ways. I cannot but think of the land of Gaza soaked with blood, Ukraine and other places of war and violence. I am reminded of the hate and division that marks our world. I think of the refugee and the migrant. The shadow of climate change. The struggle to make ends meet. I think of those who are depressed, mourn the loss of loved ones, have no place to live. Those who are sick or have family members sick.
Be confident – have hope!
Each year, the celebration of Easter calls people of faith to be confident – to have hope. Goodness triumphed at Easter those many years ago. No matter how dark things are -light will always come, goodness will always triumph and the God of life will always prevail.
Be hope in action!
Each year the celebration of Easter, calls us to action. Like the early disciples we can make our world a better place by sharing this message not just in word but most of all in our deeds. My wish this Easter is that we would resolve to be hope in action. To try to light a light where there is darkness, to be good when there is bad, let us try to be hopeful when there is despair, let us never grow tired of talking about peace when there is war or of celebrating life in the face of death. Let us reach out rather than push away, give when we can give, help when we can help, be kind when we can be kind. Let us be twenty-first century beacons of Christian hope, human lighthouses pointing to a better way amid the many darknesses of this world of ours. “He is not here! He is risen! He has gone before you to Galilee!” (Mt. 28) Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia”
Happy Easter!
Beannachtaí na Cásca oraibh!
+ Michael Duignan
Bishop of Clonfert
Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh
Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora