I’m not Christian, and Jesus Chris is not my God or savior. But the holiday that celebrates his resurrection is one of the most important holidays of the year for me, and the most meaningful.
It is a symbol to me of rebirth, a renewal of life. It has enormous meaning far beyond shopping on Amazon or Costco, as Christmas or Thanksgiving
Although its meaning has been corrupted by money and politics, nothing about it has changed for me.
This holiday is worth my paying attention to; it has inspired and guided me in many ways. Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, celebrates the belief in Christ’s resurrection three days after his crucifixion. It speaks of victory over sin, death, and the promise of eternal life for believers.
To me, it also symbolizes Christ’s compassion and his passionate belief in helping the needy and outcast and the immigrant and desperate. We know that greed and anger and some bigotry have tarred the holiday and the Christian faith, so many things about Christ have been perverted and distorted by the same money and vicious politics that are poisoning the country.
For me, the meaning is clear. Christ inspired me, along with Thomas Merton and others, to give rebirth to my own very troubled life, to be renewed and resurrected differently. To do good to those who had nowhere to go.
I didn’t die and return, but my life was fading and dying right under my nose.
Christ is the reason I find my work with the Cambridge Food Pantry so rewarding; this is where he would be if he lived.
This is a valuable holiday, and I give thanks to Pope Leo for reminding people what Jesus and his life and death really stand for. For me, it’s loving and helping those who need help, not paving the way and kissing the feet of billionaires and politicians and people seeking reasons to hate and bragging about it.
Jesus told wealthy rulers to sell their possessions and give to the poor. He advised inviting the poor, crippled, and lame to banquets rather than just inviting friends, promising blessings in the resurrection for helping those who cannot repay.
Jesus is not my God, but he is my guide, and if I were a praying man, I’d pray for him to return once more and drive the greedy and hateful out of the temples one more time. In the meantime, I honor him and wish that everyone has a meaningful Easter.
Perhaps consider sending some money or food to your local Food Pantry.
Matthew 25: “For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me in. I needed clothes, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you looked after me; I was in prison, and you came to visit me…Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me…”
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inspirationally said, jon. thank you for the Easter thoughts we all need and can put to use.
Thank you, Nancy, and have a good holiday
wonderful message Jon….and one to always remember. I am not a *christian* either, but I grew up gleaning and learning the teachings of christ and specifically Matthew :25. that is how I try to live my life…and it sustains me…and others.
have a lovely Sunday
Susan M
Dostoevky’s “Grand Inquisitor”, the stand alone chapter from the Brothers Karamazov, has given me perspective as the Grand Inquisitor tells “the stranger”, who is clearly Jesus, that they have everything under control and that he must go and never come again…that the words from Matthew’s writing that you quoted must never be spoken or lived; echoed by much of “the church” still. Yet the very notion of Jesus’ resurrection, regardless of historical veracity, is that his example of caring for the “least of these” is to be carried forward, as you, Jon, remind us often.