Weekly
Address: President Obama Offers Easter and Passover Greetings
The White House
April 19, 2014
Hi, everybody. For millions of Americans, this time of year
holds great meaning.
Earlier this week, we hosted a
Passover Seder at the White House, and joined Jewish families around the world
in their retellings of the story of the Exodus and the victory of faith over
oppression.
And this Sunday, Michelle, Malia,
Sasha, and I will join our fellow Christians around the world in celebrating
the Resurrection of Christ, the salvation he offered the world, and the hope
that comes with the Easter season.
These holy days have their roots
in miracles that took place long ago.
And yet, they still inspire us, guide us, and strengthen us today. They remind us of our responsibilities to God
and, as God’s children, our responsibilities to one another.
For me, and for countless other
Christians, Holy Week and Easter are times for reflection and renewal. We remember the grace of an awesome God, who
loves us so deeply that He gave us his only Son, so that we might live through
Him. We recall all that Jesus endured
for us – the scorn of the crowds, the agony of the cross – all so that we might
be forgiven our sins and granted everlasting life. And we recommit ourselves to following His
example, to love and serve one another, particularly “the least of these” among
us, just as He loves every one of us.
The common thread of humanity
that connects us all – not just Christians and Jews, but Muslims and Hindus and
Sikhs – is our shared commitment to love our neighbors as we love
ourselves. To remember, I am my
brother’s keeper. I am my sister’s keeper.
Whatever your faith, believer or nonbeliever, there’s no better time to
rededicate ourselves to that universal mission.
For me, Easter is a story of hope
– a belief in a better day to come, just around the bend.
So to all Christians who are
celebrating, from my family to yours, Happy Easter. And to every American, have a joyful weekend.
Thanks, God bless you, and may God bless this country we love. |
