A Holy Week and Easter message from the Dean

At Easter, Christians around the world celebrate Jesus rising from the tomb, his victory over death that opens for us the possibility of life eternal.

But we only come to Easter having first come to Jesus on the cross. There humanity does its worst, nailing Jesus to the cross. In response Jesus continues to speak words of love: ‘Father forgive them’ he says, ‘for they do not know what they are doing’. So Jesus takes on himself the burden of the world’s brokenness to lead us through the cross and death, to resurrection.

Here we see Jesus bringing hope and transformation, remaining alongside us in life and in death, and inviting us to walk with him in the way that leads to life eternal.

A prayer written many years ago by Richard of Chichester puts it like this:

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

for all the benefits you have given us,

for all the pains and insults you have borne for us.

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,

may we know you more clearly,

love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly, day by day.

Amen.

In companionship with the risen Christ we celebrate the joy of Easter.

The Very Revd Dr Andrew Braddock

Dean of Norwich

The Dean recorded his Holy Week and Easter message in front of the new crucifix which was gifted to Norwich Cathedral and installed in the Cloister in March 2023 as a focus for devotion and prayer.

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