March 24 , 2009

Easter Message

April 2009

Dear Friends of Bethlehem University

I have just returned from having celebrated Easter in Jerusalem. This is my first Easter here and the experience of being part of the ceremonies near the places where what we were commemorating actually happened has really touched me.

It was useful for me to reflect on how Jesus stepped in to show there is another way of engaging with people other than with violence and oppression. He showed us what it could really be like to be fully human and revealed that God loves us beyond our wildest dreams. God is calling us to be aware of that love. God is showing us in Jesus that we can live in a way that means death has lost its power, something our baptism proclaimed. We can run the risk of believing that it won’t all end with me, thus I can take a stand for justice and be open to others because I am caught up in something that is generous and is reaching out to me, something I’m part of and is not going to end.

Jesus’ resurrection empowers us to be willing to take a stand for justice, to cause goodness to flourish, to enable springs to exist in desert places and to be creative in establishing God’s kingdom. Thus at Easter we can proclaim with fervour the glorious Alleluia! This resurrection of Jesus frees us from what has ensnared us, it reveals God coming towards us with open arms and telling us we cannot do anything to earn God’s love, that God does not love us because we are good, rather we are good because God loves us. Alleluia!

My presence at Bethlehem University over the past five months has alerted me to the injustices the Palestinian people suffer. Yet it is in the midst of these we are called to live life to the full, to believe that in Jesus we have someone who overcame death to bring new life, someone who can empower each of us to do the same. At Bethlehem University I have met students, faculty and staff who have a deep resilience and a conviction that love must overcome hate and that peace will come. I am in awe and inspired by such resilience and faith.

On behalf of everyone involve in Bethlehem University I want to express our deep gratitude for your ongoing faithfulness in standing with us in support of the young people entrusted to Bethlehem University. Your faithfulness is a source of hope and strength for us all.

As you celebrate this Easter may the peace and joy of the Risen Jesus be part of your experience.

Br. Peter Bray FSC
Vice Chancellor