2025 április 17.

Easter Pastoral 2025

Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.” (Luke 24:45-48)

This year the entire Christian community celebrates Easter together. This brings immense joy to many believers, especially in countries were the Western and Eastern churches coexist, holding onto their different traditions of determining the date of the holiday. There are instances when families are separated because they cannot celebrate together. Thus, it is a legitimate expectation: let’s celebrate Easter (and Pentecost) on the same date, just like Christmas. Hopefully those in charge will make the right decisions regarding this matter.

Nonetheless, we also know that the dignity, depth, and spiritual reality of this holiday is not merely set by a calendar or weather conditions, but by our faith, and the quality of our relationship with the Lord. This year again, those who know Jesus Christ’s triumph over death will have their hearts filled with joy.

No one becomes a believer by themselves. Faith is God’s gift to us. The Apostles, shocked by the sight of the cross on Good Friday, could not even believe their own eyes. Even though the Lord rose from the dead, they were filled with fear, as if they had seen a ghost. Jesus, however, opened their eyes so they could recognize Him, but He also opened their consciousness too, so they could fully grasp the triumph of Easter.

The Apostles, reassured in their faith, were entrusted with a quest. As witnesses, they were commanded to preach what they had seen, and what would come of it. Jesus’ suffering, death and rebirth trumpets our salvation from the prison of sins. This is the message for every nation: the way of conversion and repentance are open for us. This is the way leading to salvation and eternal life.

Jesus' witnesses spread the good news, the Gospel, the only remedy needed by the ones whose soul is sickened by sin.

The Easter gospel proclaims God's healing love in the upcoming celebration! Furthermore, our Lord wants our help spreading his words. He could do it alone, but he does not want to. Christ calls all of his new disciples—us—to witness.

May this Easter be for us a joyful encounter with the Risen Lord, and also a divine occasion of witnessing Him, healing and blessing the lives of others!

Yours, in Christ,

Easter of 2025

János-Szabolcs BOGDÁN, bishop