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In his Easter Monday sermon, Auxiliary Bishop and Cathedral Dean Prof. Dr. Karlheinz Diez interpreted the Emmaus story as an example of human crisis experiences. After the service, the traditional Easter egg hunt took place.
Fulda – With the hopeful message “Christ lives!” Auxiliary Bishop and Cathedral Dean Prof. Dr. Karlheinz Diez on Easter Monday (April 6th) in Fulda Cathedral Believers in crisis and grief experiences are encouraged to have new confidence. In his sermon, he interpreted the Emmaus story as an example of paths through disappointment and depression to a sustaining certainty of faith.
According to a statement from the diocese, the focus of his Easter Monday sermon was the words of the disciples: “But we had hoped.” This reflects an experience that many people know when expectations are broken and hopes are not fulfilled, as the auxiliary bishop explained. For the disciples, everything was initially lost with the death of Jesus, their faith was shattered and their hope was disappointed.
Solemn service on Easter Monday in Fulda Cathedral
At the same time, Diez emphasized how necessary it is not to suppress grief, but to give it space. He literally said: “It is healing if you can talk when you are sad. You have to take time for the sadness.” The Emmaus disciples did exactly this by sharing and processing their disappointment with one another.
The decisive turning point lies in the encounter with Jesus himself. Jesus stands at the side of the disciples, listens to them and accompanies them on their way. “He walks with them on their journey!” emphasized Diez. In this closeness and in shared conversation, their view of what they have experienced begins to change. When they break the bread, the disciples finally recognize the Risen One: their grief gives way to new hope and certainty – the experience that “Christ lives!” This message dispels all darkness and opens up a new perspective on what is happening, said the auxiliary bishop.
The Emmaus story shows that today's crises and doubts do not have to mean the end. Faith can mature and deepen, especially in difficult experiences. The Easter message remains: “Hope does not allow us to perish. For it comes from the Lord, who has overcome death.” This is the lasting promise of the Easter faithemphasized the auxiliary bishop, according to the message.
Traditional Easter egg hunt in the cathedral garden after the service
The solemn pontifical mass in Fulda Cathedral was musically provided by the Youth Cathedral Choir (A and B choir) under the direction of cathedral music director Franz-Peter Huber. Cathedral organist Max Deisenroth played on the cathedral organ and contributed to the festive atmosphere of the Easter Monday service.
Following the service, the traditional Easter egg hunt for the young singers of the Youth Cathedral Choir took place in the cathedral garden. As the diocese reports, this Easter custom has existed for 28 years. Auxiliary Bishop and Cathedral Dean Prof. Dr. Karlheinz Diez, president of the choirs at Fulda Cathedral, gave the starting signal for the search for the colorful eggs that the girls and boys look forward to all year round. The Easter egg hunt is seen as the President's thanks to the children and young people for their musical and personal commitment to the service of the liturgy.
