Bishop’s Easter Message 2021
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused us to change the way we live, work and interact with each other. Many are yearning for the day when we can return to the pre Covid norms, customs and practices. The question is – is it simply a matter of returning to or one of dying to old ways and adopting or developing new modes, methods and approaches to life and living. The pandemic has caused us to spend quality time with our family, and due to the fa·ct that some had to work from home, it brought to the fore the importance of setting aside time for rest, worship and recreation. It has caused more people to embrace and to utilize the available technology; groups, organisations, businesses, government departments, and religious bodies to have meetings and other activities without members having to leave their home. The high standard of hygiene which our grand parents taught us; has become part of our new norm under COVID-19.
The pandemic has had a great impact on all sectors of our society; economic, technological, social, health, cultural, spiritual, education, tourism, transportation, agriculture, fisheries…… as well as on our psychological, intellectual and emotional. capacities. These are really trying times for all; government, private sector, groups and organisations, religious institutions, and families. It has brought to the fore our common humanity and our need to work together and to be our brothers’ and sisters’ keepers as we forge ahead as peoples and nations.
We cannot simply seek to return to our old ways of life before the pandemic, there are some things which must die as we endeavour to rebuild our lives and chart the future. As our Lord said:
- 24 Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. (John 12:24)
The resurrection of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ calls us to look at life from a new perspective, it speaks of a God who gives Himself to us, a God who enters into our trying experiences and shares in our sufferings and who brings about transformation and newness of life. As St. Paul states:
14 For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. 15 And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised for them.
16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. 17So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! (2 Corinthians 5:14-17)·
We continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, dengue fever and in St. Vincent and the Grenadines the effusive eruption of La Soufriere volcano and all its realities along with all the other challenges of life. Easter gives us a message of hope; for God is faithful and as we read in the book of Revelation:
8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8).
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! The Lord is risen indeed come let us adore Him. Alleluia!
I take this opportunity on behalf of my wife Lois and three daughters Marcella, Malaika and Mikayla to wish you a Blessed Easter!
Your friend and Bishop,
The Rt. Rev’d C. Leopold Friday
Bishop of the Windward Islands