On Easter 

On Easter 

Easter weekend is almost here. It is a time of rejoicing and celebration for Christians worldwide. It is a time of rebirth and a renewal of faith.

But I was thinking how much we all need a resurrection – a resurrection within each of us. Each morning, when we wake, we can choose how we will be that day. In a sense, it’s like our own daily resurrection. Our spirits can be lifted, our bodies and our faith renewed. We can choose to be the person we’ve always wanted to be, or we can continue being the person we are.

If we are very lucky, we are both of those – the person we are is the person we have always wanted to be. But I believe that’s very rare. Most of us wish we were better people, more faithful, more compassionate, less judgmental, less confrontational, happier – more of some things and less of others.

I find myself judging others—the way they look, how they live, what they have or lack. But I have no right to do that. No matter the status, the appearance, or the history of the person standing before me, the right to judge is not mine. My resurrection comes every morning I wake; I get to choose if I will be a better version of myself than I was yesterday.

You’re probably thinking that I can change all I want, but everyone else will see and know me as I was yesterday. And I say: So what? What difference does it make what anyone else thinks? It makes no difference unless we let it make a difference. So tomorrow, when we wake, we can be resurrected – we can be the person we have always wanted to be, or we can take the easy way and be what we’ve always been. And blessed is the one who is both.

So, it’s Easter. And the people who have not set foot in a church in a year will put on their Sunday best, make an appearance, and celebrate the Risen Christ. And tomorrow they will be the person they’ve always been. I find myself observing this, and it reminds me again of my own struggle to be consistent.

Jesus said that we should pray in private, not in public, so we can be seen praying. That’s what he said. How many people go to church so they can say they go to church – so they can be seen in church?

Why is it that we see hell more clearly than we see heaven? Here’s what I mean: The world, no doubt, is full of evil. People killing people. People use people for their own gain.  Rapists, murderers, marauders, cheaters, abusers – we all can see the worst of humanity more clearly than we can see the best in the world.

The moms and dads, and grandparents who love and are loved by their family. The children go off to school knowing they are loved. The heroes. The everyday heroes – the brother who gives a kidney to his sister so she will live; the parents who protect their children, the mom who wakes up early every morning to prepare her kids’ lunch for school. The dad who works two jobs to provide for his family.

We can see the hell in our world more clearly these days than the little pieces of heaven. Why do you think that is? Are we Christians because we say we are? Are we Christians because we show up in church each week, sing hymns, and listen to our priests and pastors tell us what the Scriptures mean?

Do you know what I think? I think everyone, Christian or not should read the words of Jesus. Read the lessons He taught. Read the parables and the miracles of His. I think if we all did that, the world would be a better place.

I don’t proselytize. I don’t care much for proselytizers. Everyone should have the freedom and the right to believe or not believe as they choose. So I don’t write this to knock on your door and hand you a pamphlet telling you that you’re not going to heaven if you don’t believe as I do. No, that’s not what I’m going to do. I’m going to ask you to read the words of Jesus. His message is a message to which every one of us, Christian or not, should aspire.

It’s Easter, and the reason for the season is to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and the rebirth of faith. Whether you believe or not, whether you call yourself a Christian or not, if we all lived by these words from the Man and the Teacher from Galilee, the world would be a much better place.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

“Blessed are they who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.

“Blessed are the meek,
for they shall inherit the earth.

“Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be satisfied.

“Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.

“Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God.

“Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.

“Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven…”

“…You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?…

“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

” So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him…”

No matter who you are, what your religion, or what you believe, I hope these Words from the teachings of Jesus guide you today, tomorrow, and always.

If all of us lived by His words, the world would be a whole lot more like heaven, and a whole lot less like hell.