Easter Tidings

Its Easter.  I woke up this morning thinking of colorful spring flowers, an Easter parade, making a special meal for my family...

We’re not religious so we don’t attend “church “ or any other formal religious service, unless we are showing our respects.

I do respect the memory of Jesus and the life Lessons that are his legacy to us, the aftermath of his suffering and life story.

Across the globe the faithful were in churches to honor the meaning and memory of Christ.  Some of them will never return home today as they became victims of another round of violence in an endless religious war that has started since the beginning of organized religion and shows no sign of ever being resolved.

It is not only the Christians who have been persecuted since the early days of their faith, and who will never be persuaded to give up their faith by such brutality.  Religion itself is a flash-point, a defining difference among people, and that difference provides an excuse for hate and violence.

If not for religion, the hate and violence would simply have different targets, be they race, color, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, politics, etc.

Hate will never change people’s color, race, gender, or nationality,  and it is unlikely to affect their life choices or beliefs.  That just shows that hate and violence can only destroy.  The real power is in building relationships, creations of art, civilization, advances of modern medicine, science and industry.  These are the real power players.

Once again, the civilized offer thoughts and prayers for the victims of hate.

Jesus himself was a martyr.  But he was no victim.  The narrative of his story shows he clearly placed himself in direct opposition to the power structures of his time.  He made no effort to extract himself from his fate.

He showed his followers the power of life over death, and of love over hate.  He did this to rescue us from the negativity of our thoughts, mind-sets and beliefs.

He did not shirk from a challenge.  While quick to forgive, he also boldly confronted corruption.

Let us rise above our hatred today, this Easter.  Let us have the courage to say no to hate speech and fear.  Rise up! It’s more than a metaphor. You can do it too.