Cardinal Puljić: Many thanks to the medical staff for taking care of our health during the coronavirus pandemic

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Cardinal Vinko Puljić, Metropolitan Archbishop of Vrhbosna, together with Coadjutor Archbishop Msgr. Tomo Vukšić, sent a message on the occasion of the Catholic holiday of Easter.

We are transmitting the message in its entirety:

The Spring of Faith

We regularly celebrate Christ's resurrection in the spring days. This is not accidental, but has a deep meaning. After the long, gloomy winter days, when spring knocks, everything in nature awakens and it is as if new life dawns. It is a time when nature awakens, life is set in motion through the blooming of spring's heralds, sowing seeds in the tilled earth that will rot and give new life. Buds, stimulated by the spring wind and sun, open and give beauty to life.

In such an atmosphere, we prepare to celebrate the Mystery of Christ's resurrection. On the cross, new life bloomed from Christ's pierced side. He was buried in the tomb as a seed of new life, to sprout with his resurrection, a victory over death and sin.

Easter Joy on the Paschal Night

During the celebration of the Paschal Vigil, we enter the church with lit candles, which indicate that Divine Light has entered this earthly darkness. The light of life and victory over death, victory over the darkness of sin. From the Easter candle, the participants in the vigil light their candles, which indicates that we should light our life candle from the Risen Christ, and bring the light of faith into this night of sin and evil, which dispels despair. Thus, each of us lights our personal light of life, our personal light of faith, from the Risen Christ. In this life's night, the Risen Christ becomes our light. True joy radiates and is transmitted to others. We bring it into everyday life. As Christians, we believe what is humanly unbelievable: that every dying and failure, every sadness and every suffering is transformed by Christ into glory. We do not rejoice in Easter because of our skills or inventions. That joy stems from the reality that He lives, He walks with us, He meets us and accompanies us in life. Jesus' disciples experienced this on Easter day itself, and it continues to this day and will be so until the last day.

Celebration of Victory

When a victory occurs in sports or other competitions, people rejoice in the streets, honk, cheer, and sing with enthusiasm.

So we Christians should rejoice and sing with elation because Christ has conquered evil, conquered sin, conquered death. Therefore, after Lenten penance, we cry out: Alleluia! and we are strengthened in the fundamental truth: Christ is risen, he is alive.

Women run to Jesus' tomb early in the morning and notice that the stone has been rolled away. Mary Magdalene meets the Risen One at the tomb in the garden – a garden that is a symbol of new creation. Just as the fall occurred in the Garden of Eden, the resurrection, new life, occurred in this garden. Mary Magdalene is given the task by the Risen One to report this to the brethren. Her eyes are opened there, through tears, to recognize the Teacher and accept the message to take it to the disciples.

Easter New Beginning

The disciples, upon hearing the news that the Lord is alive, are excited because new perspectives on life are opening up before them. This Easter news shatters their fear, which had confined them to the room. Whoever experiences an encounter with the Risen Lord is inspired to go to others and bear witness. Not to impose, but to bear witness. Those who have wept over their sins see more clearly and further because the Risen Light illuminates them with hope and encourages them in their walk with the Lord. Easter is the feast of awakening life.

We live in an atmosphere that, unfortunately, imposes a culture of death, despair, and the lost value of human dignity. We Christians, in Christ's resurrection, are renewed in the dignity of God's children, which we must live, bear witness to, and not tire in the struggle for human life, its dignity, and its rights.

After experiencing Lent, we wish that in the celebration of Easter, the light of faith, joyful hope, and courage to follow Jesus and bear witness that we are His will shine within us. He promised to be with us, so let us live His presence in such a way that it brings us comfort and peace in our souls, just as it brought comfort and peace to the disciples when He appeared to them and greeted them: Peace be with you.

Therefore, first and foremost to you, children, who lack true joy in sincere love, we wish that you recognize in the Risen Jesus that He loves us, and may you have a Happy Easter.

To you, young people, who are seeking the meaning of life and courage for life, may the Risen Christ give meaning to your life paths and strengthen your readiness to bravely fight for true values, carrying your life's cross.

To you, dear parents, may the Risen Christ give meaning to your marital love and openness to life, and may you yourselves live the joy of faith and pass on the testimony of faith to your children.

To you, medical staff and civil authorities, who, during the dangerous spread of the coronavirus, care for the health and safety of the entire social community and often expose your own lives to danger to protect others, many thanks with a prayer that the Risen Christ, the victor over death, may inspire you in the exercise of love towards endangered brothers and sisters. In this regard, in these circumstances, it is by no means appropriate to use people's hardships for political settling of scores and power struggles.

To you, the elderly, sick, and infirm, especially to you who are victims of the dangerous virus, may the Risen Christ be your comfort and strength, may He give meaning to your pains and sufferings, and may you feel your value even when, humanly speaking, you cannot, because from faith you can do much by uniting yourselves with Christ.

To all, we wish a joyful and blessed Easter, and may you be filled with the comfort of faith and love for life in the imitation of Christ. With Easter greetings, we sincerely greet and bless you!".