Obama uses weekly address to send Easter, Passover wishes
Washington (CNN) - Politics were put aside Saturday as President Barack Obama wished the American people a Happy Easter in his weekly address.
In remarks to people of all faiths, “believer or nonbeliever,” the President noted the special time of year, for Christians and Jews especially, and called on all to “love and serve one another, particularly ‘the least of these’ among us.”
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“This Sunday, Michelle, Malia, Sasha, and I will join our fellow Christians around the world in celebrating the Resurrection of Christ, the salvation he offered the world, and the hope that comes with the Easter season. These holy days have their roots in miracles that took place long ago. And yet, they still inspire us, guide us, and strengthen us today,” he said.
The President celebrated Passover earlier this week with the fifth Seder at the White House Tuesday. Obama is the first president to host a Seder dinner while in office.
“In America, the Passover story has always had special meaning. We come from different places and diverse backgrounds, but we are bound together by a journey from bondage to liberty enshrined in our founding documents and continued in each generation,” he said Tuesday.
Obama also made an appeal to people of other faiths in his Saturday address, calling to mind one idea at the heart of the world’s major religions.
“The common thread of humanity that connects us all – not just Christians and Jews, but Muslims and Hindus and Sikhs – is our shared commitment to love our neighbors as we love ourselves. To remember, I am my brother’s keeper. I am my sister’s keeper. Whatever your faith, believer or nonbeliever, there’s no better time to rededicate ourselves to that universal mission,” he said.
The weekly address is usually a time when the President speaks directly to the American people about an issue of particular importance or prominent in the national conversation in that moment. Many of Obama’s have been about raising the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour or enacting stricter regulation of firearms, for example.
He is likely to take up such issues once again next week as he travels in East Asia on a long-scheduled trip.
But for this week, the President got a bit more personal.
“For me, Easter is a story of hope – a belief in a better day to come, just around the bend. So to all Christians who are celebrating, from my family to yours, Happy Easter. And to every American, have a joyful weekend,” he said.
Serve the least of these in one hand and more than willing to to let you kill some with the other ? Witch is 0bama ?
Hey republicans! Rededicate yourselves to help Americans instead of hurting citizens.
Chris – Christine O'Donnell was a witch, then said she wasn't. Obama is not a witch.
obama is always willing to use religion like this to further his far left agenda. all while his federal government healthcare mandates trample peoples religious freedoms. just ask the sisters of the poor who had to bring their case all the way to the supreme court.
Nice picture of Obama trolling for Jewish campaign contributions. I don't know why any Jewish person would vote for a Democrat the way Obama has treated Israel and its leaders. Obama is the first pro-Palestinian President. Throwing Mubarack under the bus also hurt Israel and the stability of the region.
Chris-E
What are you raving about?
The actor at work.
@Chris E: yeah, like every president or corporate executive. Stop trying 2 score cheap pol pts, stop being a simpleton.
Happy Easter to us all
The president gives a message of love,hope,forgiveness, and a common thread we can ALL believe in .....then the haters come out with division and deceit and try to pin that on Obama, the very man THEY label as a non-Christian! Physician heal thy self!!!
President Obama. I'm happy to read these too. Love to you, u beloved family n American. Happy Easter.
God Bless America!!!
Yeah Obama is a fine Christian, who believes in abortion and same-sex marriage, the poor man doesn't have a clue.
If there is anything good worth hoping for this Easter in US, is a total routing of the GOPers in the November midterm election. This will be opportunity for economic growth and effective restructuring in US. The alternative( victory to the GOPers) will be more ruins, economic and political setbacks.... HAPPY EASTER TO U AND UR FAMILY, Mr. President.
Innocuous as they are, I can see these comments causing teabaggers to crap their pants. Ted Nugent will lead the way, of course.
@Chris-E..al, you have no idea other than spewing Venom, know we are in 21st century not to believe the garbage. Good luck with that venom.
He is a horrible godless person. How dare he!!!
quite the dog and pony show.
just saying
Presidents have been doing this for a long, long time. You are sounding ridiculous.....as usual. Why not argue that good church going people do not have to have car insurance, or for that matter license tags, or drivers licenses. Religion is such a lame excuse. And that said have a miserable Easter.
Tampa Tim
Hey republicans! Rededicate yourselves to help Americans instead of hurting citizens.
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Democrats cancelled health insurance policies with the ACA. How is taking health coverage away from people helping anyone?
Hey Barry, what about all those folks in the middle east suffering under the anarchy you created? How's their easter? What about the eastern europeans you continue to sell out, are they having a blessed Easter? How about all the good folks who lost their health insurance, you probably don't know who they are…they are the ones who work hard and pay their freight…and yours too? Have a good time Barry, while you can, we are heading for the voting booth this fall, we have had enough…the silent majority that is.
Barack Hussein Obama has shown open distain for the Israeli PM. Obama could care less about Israel and the Jewish people. To Obama and the Democrats, it all about the campaign contributions. This is no more than a required show to ensure that cash stream.
Only the faith in us will appreciate what was done on this day, for all mankind, we live...