2 weeks Ago By James Bhagwan
EASTER is a season of renewal — a time when the darkness of betrayal and crucifixion gives way to the radiant promise of resurrection and hope.This sacred narrative invites us to embrace transformation, both in our individual lives and in our communities, echoing the Pacific vision of an Ocean of Peace and the call to Do Kamo, the Kanak phrase of transformation into authentic humanity in harmonious relationship with God, the creation, and one another.The path to resurrection begins with the harrowing moment of betrayal recorded in Luke 22:2-6.
Judas Iscariot, driven by darker forces and personal weakness, consents to betray Jesus for a price.This act of betrayal highlights the vulnerability inherent in the human condition. Yet, even amidst treachery, the divine plan for redemption unfolds.
The narrative reminds us that our shortcomings, when met with divine grace, can be transformed into opportunities for renewal and growth.As the story moves to the Last Supper, we witness Jesus sharing bread and wine with his disciples (Mark 14:22-26). In this sacred meal, Jesus declares the bread to be his body and the wine his blood—a new covenant of love, sacrifice, and unity.
The Eucharist is a powerful emblem of communal bonding and spiritual nourishment. It calls us to embody Do Kamo by fostering deep, inclusive relationships that uplift our communities and bring us together in the shared pursuit of peace.In the crucifixion scene, as narrated in Luke 23:32-34, Jesus, even in the midst of immense suffering, offers forgiveness: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.
”This profound act of mercy transcends the immediate tragedy of the cross.It is an invitation for us to release our own burdens of anger and judgment, to embrace forgiveness, and to contribute to healing in our families and societies.Such grace mirrors the Pacific call for transformative peace, where reconciliation and mutual respect form the foundation of a just and safe community.
The resurrection, recounted in Mark 16:2-6, marks a turning point.When the stone is rolled away and the tomb stands empty, the angelic proclamation —”He has risen! He is not here”— transforms despair into hope.This moment of divine triumph is not only a historical event but a continual call to renewal.
The resurrection challenges us to rise above our limitations and rebuild our lives in the light of possibility and redemption so that all may flourish and enjoy abundant life.The Pacific Conference of Churches’ vision of the Ocean of Peace, is a call for a future where relationships are restored and communities are nurtured, where ecological harmony and justice prevail. In this context, Do Kamo is more than an ideal — it is a practical pathway to peace, urging us to cultivate compassion, inclusion, and sustainable living.
It reminds us that our shared journey toward wholeness must embrace both the spiritual and the ecological, calling us to heal not only our individual hearts but the entire fabric of our communities.This Easter, as we remember the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, let us commit to a journey of transformation.May the grace of forgiveness and the hope of renewal inspire us to build a future marked by the deep, living peace of the Ocean—a peace where every act of love and every gesture of compassion advances the promise of new beginnings.
Left: Parishioners celebrate Easter mass at the Tamavua Parish, Picture: SUPPLIEDYouth members of the World Harvest Church in Kinoya perform an action chorus at their Easter church service. .Picture: FT FILERaiwaqa parishioners at the demonstration last year.
Picture: SUPPLIEDThe worship choir of the Assemblies of God at Calvary Temple in Samabula during their Easter morning church service. Picture: FT FILEThe Easter early morning church service at Calvary Temple. Picture: FT FILEThe Nabua Methodist Church choir during the Easter early morning church service.
Picture: FT FILEFather Dan Sinclair serving the Holy Communion during the Easter Church Service at the Sacred Heart Cathedral. Picture: FT FILEThe staff members of various department of the Suva City Council during the Easter morning tea at Suva Civic Centre in 2021. Picture: FT FILEThe staffs of electrical department Rohindra Lal (left), Luke Lasaqa and Samuela Novo of Suva City Council with the easter cake during the Easter morning tea at Suva Civic Centre on Thursday 01:04:2021.
Picture: FT FILEA church member takes part in an action song at the Easter service at the World Harvest Centre in Nasinu.Picture: FT FILEThe post A promise of resurrection and hope appeared first on The Fiji Times..
