Easter Greetings from Bishop Michael
Hope blooms in abundance at Easter
Hope blooms in abundance at Easter as we relive the story of that first Easter morning.
Jesus who had died, has risen. He has been transformed and has gone before them to
Galilee. The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of the Christian belief that God’s last
word on life is not suffering and death but rather healing, wholeness and new life. The
resurrection of Jesus is the source of all Christian Hope.
When hope is in short supply
It is ironic that at Easter in the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025, hope itself seems to be in short
supply. War and suffering dominate the news headlines. We need but think of the martyred
people of Gaza, the broken people of Ukraine, the terrorised men and women of South
Sudan. Commentators struggle for words to express the massive changes occurring at the
level of global politics. Many speak of a new world order and the need to spend more on
establishing military might. Vengeful language has become the norm. Half-truths and
untruths seem to abound. Our world is on edge. Love seems to be struggling in a sea of
hate.
“All shall be well … all manner of things shall be well”
As we hear again the Easter Proclamation “He is not here! He is risen! He has gone before
you to Galilee!” (Mt. 28), let us take heart. Let us turn to the risen Christ. Let us renew our
confidence in the Goodness of God who can bring life out of death, order out of chaos
and hope out of despair. Turning to the words of the fourteenth century mystic, Julian of
Norwich (1342-c.1416), let us take comfort in the sure hope that “all shall be well; all shall
be well, and all manner of things shall be well … there is a force of Love moving through
the universe that holds us fast and will never let go.” (Revelations of Divine Love).
My hope and my wish this Easter is that the divine force of love moving through the
universe may renew your sense of hope and hold you and yours fast and never let you go.
Happy Easter in the Jubilee Year of Hope 2025.
Beannachtaí na Cásca oraibh!
Bishop of Clonfert
Bishop of Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora
