Easter Message from Cardinal Puljić

(Patria) - The Easter message from Cardinal Vinko Puljić, Metropolitan Archbishop of Vrhbosna, is fully conveyed by the Patria News Agency.

"If we have indeed been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly be united in the likeness of his resurrection" (Romans 6:5)

For his Lenten message in 2019, Pope Francis quotes the Lenten preface, introducing the experience of this time: "that we may joyfully await the Easter feasts, cleanse our souls through penance, pray more fervently and perform works of charity, and that by receiving the holy mysteries, He may bestow His divine life upon us."

The School of the Cross

This year too, we have attended the "School of the Cross," contemplating the Way of the Cross, where we experienced and absorbed the mystery of Christ's suffering. It is paramount to discern in this devotion the manifested love of God, by which God, giving His Son, showed how much He cares for humanity.

"The law of love is the law of the heart; it regulates feelings, changes inclinations, pours oil of peace and meekness into the wounds of a bitter and offended will" (J. Stadler, Lenten Epistle 1916). In this mystery of Christ's suffering, we could also discover the horror of sin. Modern man's conscience has become dulled, and his sense of sin has been lost. The Way of the Cross teaches us to discover the horror of sin. In this aggressive climate of selfishness and pride, by following Christ on the Way of the Cross, we learn humility and generosity, which are so necessary for mutual cooperation and coexistence. In this somber atmosphere of hatred and exclusion, we learn forgiveness on the Way of the Cross. First, we ourselves ask for forgiveness for our sins through contrite confession, but like Jesus, we also pray for all those who have wounded us, as well as for those whom we have wounded. Thus, Christ's cross becomes for us not only a symbol of Christianity but also the content of our lives, striving each day to pass the test of "carrying our cross for Jesus."

Healing Our Wounds in Christ's

We are all wounded by our sins. Although we atone for them and receive forgiveness, scars remain, and the inclination to sin persists. Therefore, we need medicine and strength to resist the evil that can poison the heart and interpersonal relationships.

We are wounded by: malicious tongues, human injustices that are so often imposed in daily life, the spread of lies, corruption, and various negations of a dignified life. May the wounds of the Risen Christ heal our despondency and disbelief, just as they healed the disbelief of St. Thomas. We want to fall to our knees and acknowledge the Risen One as our God and Lord. "Jesus is the one who is among us, who directs and governs all, who reigns and distributes grace" (J. Stadler, Epistle 1902).

Although so much time has passed since the war, many wounds are still "raw" and have not yet healed. This unhealthy public opinion, which persistently fuels hatred and inequality, adds salt to these wounds. However, "there is no one who has not suffered something, whether in body and temporal goods, or in soul" (J. Stadler, Epistle to Priests 1915). Therefore, we gather in the "upper room" – our churches – where we celebrate Mass like the apostles, fearful and with many questions for the future. May His presence bring us that inner peace which only He can give.

Renewing Everything in Christ

In our synodal journey of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna, we have taken as our motto to renew everything in the Risen Lord. To heal all our wounds in Him and to strengthen ourselves for the journey into the future. The Risen One has renewed our human dignity through His passion, death, and resurrection. Therefore, we must renew our personal faithful hearts in Him so that they may live by hope. Not to flee like the disciples "to Emmaus," but to recognize Him in the "breaking of bread and prayer." May this experience of encountering God be like that of the apostles: "At that very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven gathered together" (Luke 24:33), to whom they shared their testimony. We need to encourage each other and bear witness as we walk together in faith.

In a special way, we must unitedly and decisively defend the dignity of the family, because this aggressive secularism, by enacting strange laws, is destroying natural and divine law. On this "nest of love" – the family – which is called the "Church in miniature," society and the entire Church depend. We must decisively and courageously defend and nurture these values that God has given to man as His collaborator.

Healing Public Opinion

In the name of freedom, a sick atmosphere is created because responsibility for man and truth is lacking. Whenever responsibility and love for truth fail, man is endangered. In this area, we pray to the Risen One to bring light to the public so that the darkness of evil does not blind this public and distort values, thereby introducing fear and insecurity into society, and destroying the goods of this world for personal gain.

Thus, even after Christ's resurrection, they wanted to deny with lies that He had risen, and they spared no expense to succeed in misleading public opinion. Nevertheless, Christ's victory shattered that darkness of lies and corruption. Therefore, we congratulate each other on Easter because our personal faith, as well as the entire Church, rests on this truth of faith. Our hope, with which we face the struggle against all the challenges of this world, is founded on this mystery. It is the anchor for living in time so that we may step into eternity.

Joy in the Heart and Happy Easter

Therefore, I wish Easter light and Christ's peace especially to those who are discouraged, who have lost hope, who are disenfranchised in this world. Through this light, may they have joy in their hearts and a happy Easter.

To all families who strive to preserve community in love and who are open to life, may the Risen One strengthen them and make them happy and blessed.

To all who are wounded in soul and body, I wish that they may heal their wounds in the wounds of the Risen Christ and discover in Him the source of comfort and hope.

To all who have been blinded by the atmosphere of selfishness, pride, or any other source of darkness, I wish that the Easter light may illuminate them, so that they may discover the true meaning of life and joyfully cooperate in building a better world.

To each person individually and to all together, I wish a happy and blessed Easter, full of joy, comfort, and hope!