St Joseph Constituency extends Lenten/Easter greetings
PRESS RELEASE
Lenten/Easter greetings
‘So it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead’ – Luke 24:46
Easter is a Christian festival and holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion at Calvary as described in the New Testament. Easter is the culmination of the Passion of Christ, preceded by Lent, a forty-day period of fasting, prayer, and penance. The last week of Lent is called Holy Week, commemorating the Last Supper on Holy Thursday and its preceding foot washing, as well as Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus. Easter is followed by a fifty-day period called Easter-tide or the Easter Season, ending with Pentecost Sunday.
On Good Friday, the entire Christian community fixes its gaze on the Cross at Calvary. Each member tries to understand at what cost Christ has won our redemption. In the symbol of the Cross we can see the magnitude of the human tragedy, the ravages of original sin, and the infinite love of God. Lent is a particularly appropriate time to attempt to penetrate the true meaning of this sacred image represents through prayerful contemplation; and to study the traditions surrounding the Christian symbol of the Cross.
Looking at the Cross in prayer helps us to truly see it. Most Christians have crosses in their homes. It is fitting that Christians glorify the Cross as a sign of Christ’s resurrection and victory over sin and death, of course. But we should remember each time we see a cross that the Cross of Jesus’ crucifixion was an emblem of physical anguish and personal defilement, not triumph-of debasement and humiliation, not glory-of degradation and shame, not beauty.
The foundation of the Christian faith is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He suffered the penalty for our sins by taking our guilt upon Himself and dying horribly on the cross. He rose bodily from the dead that first Easter morning ensuring that we who have been baptized into His death and resurrection will rise again in glorified bodies on the Last Day. On Easter Sunday the Christian church celebrates God’s great triumph over sin, death, and the devil.
As Lent draws to its close we contemplate the redeeming Mystery of the Cross which aids the Church in her pursuit of the renewal of the faithful. The image of the Cross may help each of us to learn more fully the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice, and how we are to imitate His example. We can hope that as a nation, our prayers which focus on the Crucifixion of our Lord will help atone for our own sins and the sins of our society.
The United National Congress St Joseph Constituency Executive would like to recognize this Easter season as one in which all who fast and pray can find the true meaning of Christ’s sacrifice. We invite our citizens of faith and good will, to join with our Honourable Prime Minister and her government, as we strive for justice and peace in our beloved country.
Happy and Holy Easter to all in our beloved party and country. May God continue to bless our Nation.
United National Congress
St Joseph Constituency Executive