Easter as Hope That Can Renew the Human Family

Easter is a profoundly Christian celebration of the Resurrection, yet its spirit also has the power to open hearts to reconciliation, mutual respect, and a deeper awareness of our shared human calling. It is one of the most sacred and beloved seasons in the Christian world, a joyful proclamation that Jesus Christ is risen; that love is stronger than hatred, life stronger than death, and that no darkness is so deep that God cannot bring light into it. For Christians, Easter is not merely a remembrance of a distant past; it is a living and renewing source of hope. It reaches the human heart in moments of sorrow, weariness, repentance and prayer, reminding us that God has not abandoned the human family.

At the same time, Easter speaks to a universal longing for renewal. While firmly rooted in Christian faith, the questions it raises transcend religious boundaries: How can a wounded heart be healed? How can bitterness give way to forgiveness? How can broken relationships be restored? How can those who have fallen rise again with renewed strength and conscience? The Christian answer is found in the Resurrection, yet the longing itself is shared by people of many faiths, and by all who sincerely seek truth, mercy and peace.

Within the history of the Universal Peace Federation, Easter also holds a special personal resonance. According to long-preserved accounts, the late Rev. Sun Myung Moon recalled a decisive spiritual experience on Easter morning in his youth, while praying near Mount Myodu in what is now North Korea. He understood that moment as a turning point, a calling to live not for himself alone, but for God and for humanity. In the years that followed, he devoted himself to deep study of the Bible and other religious teachings, seeking with sincerity and prayer to understand the roots of human suffering and the path to lasting peace.

That spiritual beginning later bore fruit not only in teaching, but in a life dedicated to building bridges across boundaries. Together with Dr. Hak Ja Han, he worked tirelessly to encourage reconciliation among Christians and to foster respect and cooperation among people of different faiths. Their vision of peace did not seek to diminish faith, but to help it bear good fruit through repentance, service, family renewal and love for one another.

Today’s world is marked by division, suspicion, and grief. Many people are weary in spirit. Families carry unspoken pain, and nations speak loudly of peace while often growing colder in heart. In such a time, Easter reminds Christians that faith is not given to foster pride or division, but to bring renewal; to make the love of Christ visible in how we speak, forgive, serve, and endure.

For this reason, Easter can become more than a celebration within church walls; it can become a living witness. When Christians embody the meaning of the Resurrection with humility, patience, moral courage, and brotherly love, others can sense that something sacred is present. Such witness does not erase differences between faiths; rather, it does something quieter and more profound: it lowers fear, builds trust, and makes dialogue more human. It shows that deep faith and gentle love are not in conflict, but belong together.

This spirit resonates with the vision affirmed by the United Nations through World Interfaith Harmony Week, which highlights the importance of mutual understanding and sincere dialogue in building a culture of peace. Easter need not be diluted to serve this purpose; it serves peace best when it is lived authentically, with gratitude and openness.

For UPF, this is closely aligned with the vision of humanity as one family under God. Easter does not erase the wounds of history in a single moment, but it proclaims that hatred is not final, that repentance is possible, and that reconciliation is sacred work. In a world often caught in cycles of resentment, Easter gently reminds us that a new beginning is always within reach.

May this Easter season strengthen the hearts of Christians everywhere. And may its message of resurrection, mercy and new life inspire a broader spirit of mutual respect, brotherhood and peace among all people.

Dr. Tageldin Hamad, President, UPF-International April 5, 2026