Words of Hope in Bishop Gregory's Easter message

The Rt Rev Gregory Cameron wrote that: “There are times at present when it looks as if the entire political system of the United Kingdom is falling apart.”

But he goes on to say that the Easter story is a reminder of the proof of God’s trustworthiness, which is found in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

He says: “Whatever else we can say about the Resurrection of Jesus, its enormous impact on history cannot be denied. Eleven dispirited disciples were turned around, a notable persecutor of the Church was converted, millions down through history claim to have met, and be transformed by, an executed Messiah who rose from the dead. Empires have fallen, human rights movements have been inspired, change has been wrought because this one man has been recognised as the human face of a God of love.”

Bishop Gregory will be presiding at services in St Asaph Cathedral over the Easter weekend.

On Thursday, people from across north east and mid Wales gathered at St Asaph Cathedral for the Chrism Eucharist, when the holy oils were blessed, and clergy renewed their vows of commitment. On Saturday, Bishop Gregory confirmed more than 30 people as part of the Easter vigil service.

You can find information about Easter services at St Asaph Cathedral on https://stasaphcathedral.wales/ All are welcome to Easter services at St Asaph Cathedral and at churches across the diocese.

Bishop Gregory’s Easter Message os in full, in Welsh and English, below:

“Dw i'n edrych i fyny at y mynyddoedd. O ble daw help i mi?”

Bydd yr adnod hon o Salm 121 yn taro nodyn gyda phob un ohonon ni ar ryw adeg mewn bywyd; mae’n sicr o fod yn atseinio yng nghlustiau Theresa May ar hyn o bryd, sy’n siwr o fod yn teimlo’n go unig, gydag ymosodiadau a galwadau o bob tu wrth i brosiect Brexit gael ei dynnu’n ddyfnach ac yn ddyfnach i gors o anawsterau ac oedi dibaid. Ar adegau yn y cyfnod dyrys hwn, mae’n ymddangos weithiau fel tase system wleidyddol gyfan gwledydd y Deyrnas Gyfunol ar fin dymchwel yn deilchion.

Mae’r holl sefyllfa wleidyddol yma sy’n fy wynebu pob bore wrth imi ddeffro, yn gwneud imi deimlo braidd yn isel fy ysbryd. Ydy Brexit wedi cyrraedd? Nac ydy. Pryd mae am ddigwydd? Wyddwn ni ddim. Beth sydd am ddigwydd? Pwy a ŵyr?

Mae adnod arall yr yr Ysgrythur sy’n ein rhybuddio beth ddylen ni feddwl am awdurdodau a grymoedd daearol: “Paid trystio'r rhai sy'n teyrnasu — na dyn meidrol sydd ddim yn gallu achub. (Salm 146:3)

I’r Cristion, does dim ond un ffynhonnell hyder, ac nid yn anwadalwch cyfnewidiol y bywyd cythryblus hwn mo hynny, ond yn Nuw. I lawer ohonon ni, mae prawf o ffyddlondeb Duw i’w ganfod yn Atgyfodiad Iesu Grist. Dwi’n cofio hanesydd o fri yn datgan unwaith: Does dim prawf go iawn o unrhyw beth mewn hanes. Gellir ailgreu arteffactau, ffugio dogfennau, ymyrryd â thystiolaeth a chamddehongli ffeithiau. Yr unig wir ffordd o wybod a ddigwyddodd rhywbeth ydy gweld ei effaith.

Beth bynnag arall a ddywedwn am Atgyfodiad Iesu, ni ellir gwadu ei effaith ddigamsyniol ar hanes. Cafodd bywydau unarddeg o ddisgyblion digalon eu chwyldroi, cafodd un o brif erlidwyr yr Eglwys droëdigaeth, mae miliynau ar hyd y canrifoedd yn honni iddyn nhw gyfarfod, cael eu trawsnewid, gan y Meseia croeshoeliedig a gododd o farw’n fyw. Cwympodd ymerodraethau, ysbrydolwyd mudiadau hawliau dynol a daeth newid ddiymwâd, hyn oll trwy adnabod a chydnabod mai’r un dyn hwn ydy wyneb dynol cariad Duw.

Roedd gan fy nain hoff emyn, sy’n gymorth i godi calon ar adegau fel hyn: “Newid a darfod y mae'r byd a'i fri; O!'r Digyfnewid, aros gyda mi.” Wel, dyna ichi reswm i ddymuno Pasg Hapus ichi.

“I will lift up my eyes to the hills: from whence comes my help?”

This verse from Psalm 121 will resonate with all of us at some point in life; it probably resonates a great deal for Theresa May at the moment, who must feel very alone, attacked on all sides as the Brexit project gets more and more immersed in difficulty and delay. There are times at present when it looks as if the entire political system of the United Kingdom is falling apart.

I’m finding the political situation is beginning to depress my outlook on life as I get up in the morning. Has Brexit arrived? No. When will it happen? Don’t know. What is going to happen? No-one has any idea.

There’s another verse in scripture that warns us what to make of earthly authorities and powers: “O put not your trust in princes, nor in any mortal being, for none of them can save.” (Psalm 146)

For the Christian, there can be only one source of confidence, and that is not in the changes and chances of this troubled life, but in God. For many of us, the proof of God’s trustworthiness is found in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. I remember a notable historian once saying: There is no concrete proof of anything in history. Artefacts can be forged, documents are slanted, evidence may be tampered with or misinterpreted. The only sure way you can have of knowing that something happened is by its impact.

Whatever else we can say about the Resurrection of Jesus, its enormous impact on history cannot be denied. Eleven dispirited disciples were turned around, a notable persecutor of the Church was converted, millions down through history claim to have met, and be transformed by, an executed Messiah who rose from the dead. Empires have fallen, human rights movements have been inspired, change has been wrought because this one man has been recognised as the human face of a God of love.

My grandmother had a favourite hymn, which is a useful tonic, especially at this time: “Change and decay in all around I see; O thou, who changest not, abide with me.”

Now, there’s a reason to wish you a Happy Easter.