Pastor’s Corner for Easter Sunday, Year A, by Fr. Bruce Botha SJ
A happy, blessed Easter to all of you! Easter Sunday always brings with it such joy, mostly because we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, but also in part because the marathon of events of Holy Week is over! It has been an intense Lenten period, with weekly Stations of the Cross, culminating it one of the best “Service of the Seven Last Words” that I have attended. We galloped through Holy Week with our revised Paschal Meal which 90 adults and 20 children attended, and then a penitential service for 30=40 parishioners, and then finally the liturgies of the Triduum itself. I would like to thank everyone who organised or participated in these events of Lent and Holy Week. They have been successful only because of your own passion and dedication.
Looking ahead to life after Easter, we continue to pray with Pope Francis in his April prayer intention for the spread of peace and non-violence, through a decreasing use of weapons by both states and citizens. We also look to the 4th Sunday Faith Talk, which will be hosted by the Caritas: Environmental Justice group. This is fitting as the Saturday immediately preceding the Faith Talk is World Earth Day.
Our Prayer Ministry Team has produced the following prayer for us to use during this month. I encourage you to pray it daily.
Loving and Merciful Father, through Your Son Our Lord Jesus Christ you gave us peace. As followers of Christ, we are the agents of Peace and in faith, we turn to you and pray for the spread of peace and non-violence.
Let your Kingdom and Peace reign in this world plagued by discord, disputes, conflicts, and wars.
Foster a culture of peace and non-violence in every heart and instil in us the desire and commitment to bring peace and unity in our marriages, families, communities, and countries.
Give insight, wisdom and dedication to all church leaders, civic leaders, political leaders, and governments to promote peace as their first line of defence against conflicts and wars.
Free us from self-centredness and help us to protect the dignity of every human life. Give us the courage to advocate for a decrease in the production, proliferation, and use of weapons by states and civilians.
We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. AMEN
Our Lady Queen of Peace, Pray for us.