What does it mean to be an “Easter people” in Education? By Mrs Shirley Tan

“We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song!” This is a quote attributed to St. Augustine of Hippo and popularised by St. John Paul II. We believe that we are an Easter people because the resurrection of Jesus shows that suffering, disappointment and death can be transformed into new life. Easter gives us hope – a hope that promises fullness of life. When Jesus said in the Gospel of John 10:10, “I have come that you may have life and have it to the full,” what does it mean? The phrase here suggests that the life Jesus offers is rich and satisfying, including spiritual blessings and a deep relationship with God.

With knowledge of this, how, then, as Catholic educators, are we to live our vocation, as Easter people?

Be the presence of Christ in the school community

Serve others: Show love and acceptance of others, especially those who need help

Be hope-filled: Be optimistic and enthusiastic about life and the people in the school community

Be forgiving: Be compassionate and merciful, willing to forgive and promote peace instead of unhappiness

Be joyful: With the knowledge of unmerited redemption, there is cause to celebrate being alive spiritually and physically

What would our students’ experience of school be like if we commit ourselves to being an Easter people? Will they experience Christ through us? As Christ is love, would our students consequently experience what it feels like to be loved and valued for who they are? As a result of understanding what it is to be loved, will they, in turn, learn to love themselves and others? It has been observed that hope can only come from the well-spring of love. As an Easter people, we know what it is like to be loved because God sacrificed His Beloved Son for our salvation. We have been given the gift of eternal life, unmerited. As Easter people, it is our obligation then, to pay forward the love we have freely received. Would our students testify that being in a Catholic school has enabled them to experience unconditional love. An experience they would not have had in a secular school? Would this be the difference we bring to our students? Through this nurturing environment we have enabled them to believe in themselves, helped them to discover who they are meant to be and equipped them to realise their potential and consequently thrive and flourish as worthy human beings.

The undeniable sign of the resurrection is joy, bringing a sense of hope to others that is tangible and irresistible. This is our value proposition to our students who choose to be educated in a Catholic school.

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.” 1 John 3:1-3