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)