Renewing faith on the holiest day

By STAFF REPORTERS

Christians gathered on hilltops to see the dawn or came together in churches yesterday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on one of the holiest days of the Christian calendar.

In Auckland's Baptist Tabernacle the congregation celebrated with seven baptisms, admitting new members to the faith.

Among them were oncologist Dr Benji Benjamin and his wife, Shyla.

Dr Benjamin grew up in a Christian family and did his medical training at India's Christian Medical College.

There, he said, students learned by the motto: "We dress the wound, God heals the wound."

That motto now forms the basis of his work as consultant oncologist at Auckland Hospital.

This year, he oversaw broadcaster Paul Holmes' radiation treatment for prostate cancer.

Dr Benjamin said his baptism reaffirmed his faith and obedience to God.

He described to the congregation how his mother had been proud of his professional success - but had also encouraged him to preach the Gospel to people who had not heard it.

"Her words come to my mind all the time." he said. "To be baptised today is a huge blessing."

Tabernacle pastor Bruce Patrick said the number of people being baptised at his church had increased "remarkably" over the past five to six years.

"We are going through a strong up-cycle at the moment, with people coming to us looking for their spiritual needs to be met," he said.

In Wellington, several hundred people climbed to the summit of Mt Victoria to watch the sun rise.

A church service, led by Salvation Army Major Peter Thorpe, was held at dawn to commemorate the resurrection of Christ after his crucifixion on Good Friday.

The event was organised by the multi-denominational Wellington Church Council, which represents several churches in the capital.

The significance of the resurrection for modern-day Christians was spelled out in sermons around the country.

The Rev Glynn Cardy, of St Andrews Anglican Church in Epsom, asked his congregation if the resurrection affected the way they lived or whether it belonged only in the past.

"Some see Jesus' resurrection primarily as a physical event - a dead man returns from the dead," he said.

"Some see Jesus' resurrection primarily as a metaphysical event, like a win over death, open season on heaven and a big cosmic tick to Jesus' self-giving love.

"Others see Jesus' resurrection primarily as a metaphorical event - life and love overcoming the forces of death and destruction."

He said the resurrection allowed Christians to break free from restraints that stopped "us being who we are, being all that God created us to be."

Catholic Monsignor Brian Arahill baptised and christened three babies at St Michaels in Remuera, and spoke of new beginnings and new life.

He told the congregation that on Saturday night he had listened to talkback radio and heard people saying that for them Easter meant Easter eggs.

Monsignor Arahill said that indicated people found it hard to believe in Christ rising from the dead - the basis of Christianity.

On Good Friday, the day Christians commemorate the death of Christ on the cross, some Catholics gathered on a hill overlooking Auckland in Winstone Park, Mt Roskill, to re-enact Christ's walk to Calvary.

Members of the Filipino Catholic community carried a heavy wooden cross up to the summit, where they prayed, and kissed a statue of Jesus.

The swirling mist and darkening sky reflected the weather in the Bible's grim account of Christ's last moments when, it says, the skies went dark.

Mayette Villanueva said Good Friday was a time of great rejoicing, and faith in the future.

"Jesus died on the cross for each and every one of us, so that we may be saved, and inherit the kingdom that Jesus has prepared for us in heaven."

Nearly 300 people attended the Way of the Cross, which has been an annual event for five years.

Some, such as Te Atatu resident David Schischka - who brought his children - were there because they saw advertisements for the event.

Mr Schischka said it was great to be outdoors celebrating Christianity's most important festival.