Archbishop of Sydney

Easter Message 2004

By + Cardinal George Pell
Archbishop of Sydney
8 April 2004

At Easter the Christian churches urge us to reflect on the triumph of life and love achieved through the resurrection of Christ our Lord. But the events of the Passion during Holy Week have also prompted us to do what most people prefer to avoid, i.e. to reflect on the mysteries of suffering and personal sin and on the struggle between good and evil which takes place in every heart and at every level of society.

Mel Gibson's film “The Passion” has focused public attention on the Christian understanding of the whole Easter season more effectively than any other event for years. Many who came to the Easter ceremonies this year came with a clearer vision.

But the effects are wider. The level of public discussion among the non-church goers also reminded us of the extent and depth of Christian sentiment as well as belief across our society. People felt constrained to explain why they were not going to see the film; or why they left early or why they admired it.

Australians do not need Christians to remind them that all is not well with the world, inside Australia and especially outside Australia . Nowhere is there a long term heaven on earth.

The Easter message is that we have a personal Redeemer, who is the Son of God. The prolonged violence and suffering of the passion of Christ are not only a consolation to sufferers, reminding them that God's Son suffered too; not just another story of another good person treated cruelly and unjustly, but the necessary prelude to the resurrection of Christ and of all good people on the last day; they are the events which guaranteed that God forgives our sins and overwhelms the evil in human history.

Easter celebrates the mystery of Christ's liberating obedience and redemptive suffering. That is the significance of the resurrection of Easter Sunday.

Easter peace to everyone.