Two Charles Sturt University (CSU) theologians say the essence of the message of Easter, now and for all time, is the indestructible character of hope.
Right Reverend Professor Stephen Pickard (pictured left), Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture (ACC&C) in Canberra, and Associate Professor Gerard Moore, lecturer in worship and practical theology and Associate Head of the CSU School of Theology, have delivered a joint message about the meaning of Easter.
"The season of Easter opens a window into the depths of human violence and the indestructible character of hope," Professor Pickard said. "Through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus we glimpse a picture of the ways of God with this world.
"Easter fills our lives and the whole cosmos with infinite value. It challenges anything that diminishes or destroys the inherent value of all life, including this planet. Easter is a story of suffering, forgiveness, generosity and hospitality that comes as an underserved gift from God. In response, we are called to draw alongside those weighed down by burdens, who live without hope or rest. It is a season to open our hearts to the good God, and travel the pilgrim road with hope and joy."
Professor Gerard Moore (pictured left) said this hope in the face of death and violence is embodied in the celebration itself.
"From its inception, the date of Easter has taken its mark from the Jewish calendar, and was set in relation to the ancient feast of Passover," Professor Moore said.
"The transition of Christ from death to life was comprehended through the prism of the escape of the Israelites from violence and enslavement in Egypt and their passing through the Red Sea to a place of promise. From this Jewish influence it comes that Easter is set within the northern Spring and timed according to the waxing of the full moon.
"Further, as a Christian festival, Easter is celebrated on a day dedicated to the risen Sun. And so with the feast there are themes of darkness to light to creation (dawn on Sunday), light in the darkness (full moon), new life and fertility (Spring), and a pervading sense of hope in the future.
Professor Moore said the English terminology carries this sense.
"The feast is preceded by the period of 'Lent', and the name takes its origin from an Old English word for the lengthening of the days, itself a sign of Spring, including the light, warmth and new life promised," he said. "Our English term 'Easter' and the related German 'Ostern' are derived from the word 'Ēastre', the name of the goddess of the dawn, which also served as the Old English name of the month during which the season of Spring fell (Eostur-monath). These Old English and Germanic origins emphasise the resurrection as the dawning of the new light and the coming of new life with Spring.
"It is hardly surprising then that popular culture has associated the new life and new light of Easter with all night vigils, special cakes, Easter fashion parades, holidays, bunnies, and even endangered Bilbies," Professor Moore said. "Eggs, too, loom large; there is little point celebrating a feast of new life without a hint of sex and chocolate."
Readers seeking further non-technical information about the celebration of Easter can refer to Earth Unites with Heaven: An Introduction to the Liturgical Year, by Gerard Moore, (Morning Star Publishing, Melbourne, 2014).
Social
Explore the world of social