Chaplain

Easter is a festival of light, peace and victory over death. The Christian’s most important festival of the year is Easter, the time to celebrate the historical event of a crucified Jesus and the empty tomb. Many people approach the resurrection as a fairytale or myth but this is not the type of writing of the gospels nor is it what the evidence indicates. Yr 8 this week is examining the evidence for the resurrection.

I have been fascinated to hear of two public figures who have openly spoken of their scepticism of the resurrection of Jesus. One was Dr Francis Collins who has double doctorates in Physical Chemistry and Medicine and is famous for his genetic research. He was raised as an atheist but came to the point in his adult life of wanting to examine the evidence for God generally and Jesus specifically. He had expected to be confirmed in his atheism but was convinced to the contrary, that Jesus’ death and resurrection were supported by the evidence. After such an investigation, he became a follower of Jesus.

The second public figure is the children’s author Suzanne McFarlane. She likewise was an atheist and frankly felt that the Christian faith lacked intellectual rigour and historical accuracy. However, her investigation led her unexpectedly to see the Christian faith as true and intellectually solid. She had not anticipated this outcome but found her world changed for the better after this research and discovering an intimacy with Jesus.

While the historical aspects are crucial, the spiritual implications are potent.

The idea of an innocent sacrificing because of love inspires us to sacrificial love for others. Death being overcome, grief turned to joy, darkness to light is a principle of hope that is reassuring. The assurance that death does not have the last word and that death can be a door to a renewed world addresses the pain of grief giving hope for more. Fear of death disintegrates in the face of the empty tomb of Jesus. The wonder of restoration and forgiveness in a world where we each fail brings peace. This brings better relationships as we know that forgiveness is better than vengeance.

Such lessons of peace, love, joy and hope make Easter a time of deep renewal and restoration of relationships. So, my prayer for our community is that this Easter you will take time to restore relationships, seek and give forgiveness, show acts of sacrificial love and delight in the joy of those relationships. I also encourage you to take time to reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus that offers a new relationship with God, full of peace, love, joy and hope.

God Bless

Ms Bronwyn Lihou
Senior Campus Chaplain
blihou@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9909 3133

Ms Fiona McKenzie
Junior Campus Chaplain
fmckenzie@redlands.nsw.edu.au
9953 6022