After the “forty days and forty nights” of the Lenten season devoted to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, we are just stepping into the new season of Easter. Christians are celebrating the resurrection of Christ from the dead, conquering death and saving us from sin.

Christ’s resurrection means that eternal life is granted to all who believe in Him. His resurrection provides irrefutable proof that He is the Son of God and that He has overcome death once and for all. The risen Jesus is alive and is the Lord of the new heavens and new earth. He is the reason for our hope in a renewed humanity. At this point in time, we need to strengthen the conviction that humanity is being redeemed through the passion, death, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

However, the most recent events might shake off either a rather frail or even a strong faith in the power of Jesus’ resurrection. Just to cite a few: the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the prolonged war in Ukraine, the distressing extreme weather phenomena, and the nuclear menace. These and other worrying phenomena can unsettle our sense of security and well-being.   

How do we feel about the 50,000 deaths in Turkey and the 6,000 in Syria, as of this writing, as a consequence of the recent destructive tremors that struck both countries? Trauma, distress, and homelessness will be the issues haunting the lives of the populations in the years ahead. The reconstruction will last decades and demand huge investment.

The protracted conflict between Russia and Ukraine drags on with no signs of abating. At the moment, no warring party shows the predisposition for negotiations to end the war. Here, the future is uncertain and somehow somber due to the lingering threat of the arms race and nuclear proliferation. Worst of all, in my opinion, is the climate disruption which is exacerbating and intensifying its destructive power. The most vulnerable nations will bear the brunt of the damaging effects of extreme climate disasters.

Does the Easter season have a hopeful and confident message for humanity, and in particular, for us believers and Christians? It has, indeed. The Easter event is all about faith in the possibility of a new man and woman re-created in the image of the risen Christ.  His resurrection means that new life is freely given to all who opt for Him and work for a more just world.