Opinion

Holy Week reflection: The light will not be quenched

Holy Week is not meant to be a depressing remembrance of Christ's death - rather, it is a reminder that there is more love in the world than hatred.
Holy Week is not meant to be a depressing remembrance of Christ's death - rather, it is a reminder that there is more love in the world than hatred. Holy Week is not meant to be a depressing remembrance of Christ's death - rather, it is a reminder that there is more love in the world than hatred.

FOR Christians, Holy Thursday celebrates the final meal that Jesus shared with His disciples before His death. During that He washed their feet as a sign that table-sharing with Him would involve self-giving.

The last number of weeks have seen terrible events in Central Europe. Our newsfeeds have helped us to realise just how much little ones suffer terribly when powerful forces collide.

When bombs and slaughter are further away and less visible on our television screens, the daily horror can seem less serious. This year the reality of evil seems all too close.

Holy Week is not meant to be a depressing remembrance of Christ's death. Rather, it is an invitation to face the brutal reality of man-made disasters, with the mad trust that life is stronger than death, that there is more love in the world than hatred, that unimagined resurrection can follow apparent disaster.

Despite the shadow of the Cross, where there is self-sacrificing love, the light will not be quenched. We see that hope in the generosity of those who are prepared to open their doors and share their table with homeless strangers.

Love is the seed of Resurrection.

Dr Donal McKeown

Bishop of Derry