Easter Message

Archbishop Kelvin E. Felix's
Easter Message

IN THE RISEN CHRIST ALL CREATION RISES TO NEW LIFE

During this recently concluded Lenten Season, many people remarked how untypical was our dry season! Indeed, we expected the usual very sunny days, scorched lawns, brown grass, trees withered and shedding their leaves, and, of course, the accompanying bush fires. But lo and behold, heavy showers visited us as though we were back again in the rainy season. Hardly anyone was displeased, and we know for certain that the farmers were happy and the supply of water in our reservoirs replenished.

Earlier than normal, trees began to put out new leaves and shoots. New life has sprung and that is what countries experience in the Spring. And that is what Easter brings … New Life in the Risen Christ.

As believers we are invited to proclaim the amazing newness of the Gospel – a message of joy and hope to our society and the world steeped in sorrow and tears.

How can we speak of peace when on every side we see people experiencing hardships, families under strain and lacking the basic necessities of life.

The heavens are rent by the din of war when the whistles of shells are heard around people's homes, and the ravaging fire bombs consume towns and villages in so many parts of the world. That is why the comforting announcement of the Easter Message of the Resurrection of Christ is our hope, and we look with new eyes and strengthened hearts to every coming event in our future life.

He is Risen. This is the heart of our Christian faith and it gives meaning to our life, because in Christ, death gives way to the life that dies no more.

May this message of Easter Joy teach us to see and hear God speaking to us through the seasons of nature and the events of our daily lives so that we may come to appreciate God's gift of Peace, with which we can conquer every tide and tension, because nothing can resist the renewal brought about by the Risen Christ, our Peace.

With prayerful best wishes to the Clergy Religious, lay faithful and all God's people.

A Holy and Happy Easter.

In Christ

+ Kelvin E. Felix

Archbishop of Castries

April 2004