The Lord brings death and makes alive;
he brings down to the grave and raises up.
The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
he humbles and he exalts. 

(1 Samuel 2,6-7)

Dear Sisters and Brothers, 

On this Easter Sunday, the prayer of Hannah will be preached in the churches in Germany (1 Samuel 2). A psalm that proclaims the liberation of the humiliated and oppressed and the reversal of all conditions of life. Hannah praises God, who overcomes death and brings people back to life. In her prayer, resurrection and the transformation of all earthly living conditions are inseparable: God, who creates life, makes the weak strong, feeds the hungry and lifts up the poor.

The Swiss theologian and poet Kurt Marti expressed this connection between the resurrection from the dead and the dawn of peace and justice in a "post-apostolic confession": 

I believe in God
who is love
the creator of heaven and earth 

I believe in Jesus
his incarnate Word
the Messiah of the afflicted and oppressed
who proclaimed the kingdom of God
and was crucified for it
delivered like us to the destruction of death
but rose again on the third day
to continue to work for our liberation
until God will be all in all

I believe in the Holy Spirit
who makes us co-fighters of the Risen One
brothers and sisters of those
who struggle and suffer for justice.

I believe in the communion of the worldwide church
in the forgiveness of sins
in peace on earth,
for which it makes sense to work
and in the fulfilment of life
beyond our lives 

AMEN 

As we celebrate Easter in the worldwide EMS fellowship, the two are inseparable for us: The proclamation of Jesus' resurrection from the dead and our common commitment to peace and reconciliation, justice and freedom. Together, let us share the Gospel with all people:

Christ is risen. He is truly risen!