Chriatians told find strength in Easter
Chriatians told find strength in Easter
JAKARTA (JP): As members of the Protestant and Roman Catholic
communities celebrate Easter this weekend, their leaders in the
government are appealing to them to find new strength in the
significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The directors general of Protestant and Catholic affairs,
respectively Jan Kawatu and Imam Kusen Mihardjo, sent separate
messages to their flocks on the eve of Good Friday.
The Easter celebration goes through the weekend and will reach
its peak tomorrow, the day of Christ's resurrection.
"Easter has not only given spirit and conviction to the
Christian community, it is also a source of strength to make new
breakthroughs in improving the quality of life in the future,"
Jan said in his message.
"Easter has truly created a new history, spirit and motivation
to strive to make improvements. Easter is God's answer to the
people and the world that behind death there is resurrection.
"Jesus Christ asks Christians to achieve a better life. Are we
willing to answer God's challenge?" he asked.
Imam Kuseno said in his message that Christ's pain, death and
resurrection were the lessons of the sacred value of life, such
as the spirit to fight to achieve noble objectives, the spirit of
sacrifice, the spirit of good deeds, loyalty and dedication.
"No sacrifice is wasted and all endeavors that are blessed by
God are bound to succeed," he said.
He also urged Roman Catholics to celebrate Easter in an
orderly and solemn manner. He stressed the need for them to build
harmonious relations with people of other faiths in Indonesia.
"As we live together, we should build communication, mingle,
help one another, fill one another, give and take for the sake of
our common progress," he said.
"We should look for things which we have in common because
through this we can better maintain a harmonious and peaceful
life and continue to strengthen national unity."
He said Roman Catholics also should take full part in the
government's drive to eradicate poverty. (01)