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Bishop’s Easter Message 2015

April 13th, 2015


Heroes of various types have been in the news in recent days. Those newly elected to parliament in the Gippsland region, and in whom communities place trust and hope for our common life. Federal Government ministers are trusted to deliver on social policy reforms which land generously for the most vulnerable members of our families and our community. Community heroes who know what it means to be hurt and abused by the very people we should be able to trust, have dared to speak out. Sporting heroes have fallen and been restored to their club, their fans and the game they love. And, there are the heroes of every Australian city, town and region, those we remember as ANZAC who will be honoured in particular in this centenary year of the Gallipoli landing. Some of or all of these we will think are worthy heroes, others not.

This Easter, those of us who are followers of Jesus will remember and celebrate him with love. We will remember that he was the kind of teacher who washed the feet of his friends. We will remember that he cared for the most vulnerable, and those on the very edge of the community. We will remember that he made friends with those who were weak. We will remember that he helped those with no voice find their own voices, and the strength to speak and sing a song of grace. We will remember that he showed us what love looks like. We will remember with shame the hurts of the past, those done in Christ’s name and those suffered by us. And we will thank God for his mercy, and we will pray that we can live that mercy every day – hoping and praying not to be heroes, but ordinary people whose lives tell a story of welcome and love always and for ever. May the grace Jesus Christ, our Crucified and Risen Saviour be yours this Easter.

Bishop Kay Goldsworthy Anglican Diocese of Gippsland