President Obama Offers Easter
and Passover Greetings
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/04/19/weekly-address-president-obama-offers-easter-and-passover-greetings?utm_source=snapshot&utm_medium=email&utm_content=041914-topper
In this week’s address, the
President offered his warmest greetings as millions of Americans celebrate
Easter this Sunday and recounted the Passover Seder he hosted at the White
House earlier this week, joining Jewish families around the world in their celebration.
The President looks forward to taking part with his family in the hope and joy
of the Easter season and reminds all Americans, no matter their faith, of the
common thread that binds us.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/04/19/weekly-address-president-obama-offers-easter-and-passover-greetings
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.