This is my 12th and final Easter message as Archbishop of Sydney.
As I think on my time as Archbishop, naturally I look back and try to judge myself ”“ not with much success!
Like you, I have a real judge. Think how much more God, who knows all the secrets of our hearts, must be able to hold me to account. It should make us tremble.
But I am filled with hope. Why?
Because of Easter. What happened at the first Easter reminds me of the love of God.
Through the death of Jesus even I, and all of us, can have forgiveness as we turn to him in sorrow and trust him for our lives. Our failures are not the last word over our lives. And, through the resurrection of Jesus I have a great and undeserved hope of my own resurrection and future.
I can only quote the words of John Newton, the man who wrote the song, Amazing Grace: ”˜I am a great sinner, but Christ is a great Saviour’. Thank the love of God for that.