President Obama said at an Easter prayer breakfast Wednesday that the recent terrorist attacks in Belgium and Pakistan are intended “to weaken our faith.”
“These attacks can foment fear and division,” Mr. Obama said at the White House. “They can tempt us to cast out the stranger, strike out against those who don’t look like us, or pray exactly as we do. And they can lead us to turn our backs on those who are most in need of help and refuge. That’s the intent of the terrorists, is to weaken our faith, to weaken our best impulses, our better angels.”
Islamist terrorists killed at least 35 people in Brussels last week, and at least 69 people in a suicide bombing targeting Christians in Lahore, Pakistan, on Monday.
The president, who is feuding with Republican presidential candidates over his plan to accept thousands of Syrian refugees, said he was impressed by images last week of Pope Francis washing the feet of refugees.
“What a powerful reminder of our obligations, if in fact we’re not afraid,” Mr. Obama said.
He said the meaning of Easter is that “you don’t have to be afraid.”
“We think about all that Jesus suffered and sacrificed on our behalf, scorned, abandoned, shunned — nail-scarred hands bearing the injustice of his death and carrying the sins of the world,” Mr. Obama said. “Because of God’s love, we’ve been given this gift of salvation. Because of Him, our hope is not misplaced, and we don’t have to be afraid.”
The president also said he intends to work with the assembled clergy after he leaves office, but joked that he needs to rest first.
“After a good chunk of sleep when I get out of here, I’m going to be right out there with you doing some work,” Mr. Obama said. “You’re not rid of me yet, even after we’re done with the presidency. But I am going to take three, four months where I just sleep. I hope y’all don’t mind that.”
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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