For those of us who have experienced a spiritual shift away from what I call the “D’s & D’s,” the “dos” and “don’ts,” the dogma and doctrine of evangelical Christianity, Easter presents a conundrum.
After decades of hearing, sincerely believing and teaching the Jesus story, we now can’t completely buy into all of it. It’s like a suit that no longer fits—or, if you will, new wine, bulging and ripping at the seams of old wineskins. So, what do we do with Easter?
I begin with Jesus. At the very least, I believe that Jesus was a man of God, called to a life exemplifying justice, mercy and humility. According to Micah 6:8, that is just what the Lord requires of all of us.
Jesus called out the unjust and oppressive practices of the tax collectors, money changers and civic powers. He lambasted the ritualistic sham of the church hierarchy. He upheld the dignity of lepers, children, the ill and infirm, beggars, prostitutes and all sorts of marginalized folks.
Jesus lived humbly as an itinerant preacher with no property of his own. He was dependent upon the generosity of others for survival.
Jesus consistently bucked the status quo, riling both civic and religious leaders. Feeling a threat to their authority and fearful of a popular revolt, they arrested him under trumped-up charges, carried out a sham trial, and convicted and crucified him. They killed the man—a good and godly man, likely the anointed son of God, possibly of a virgin birth.
Jesus was crucified because of pride, greed, and fear—the sins of the people of that day, particularly those in authority. Has our manner of sin changed much over the centuries?
They had power, position and wealth, and wanted to keep it that way. Fearful of losing it all, they killed Jesus.
And then, Sunday.
What happened that long-ago Sunday morning may be the prime example of God’s working in mysterious ways. Not to be flippant, but honestly, only God knows.
I don’t know, and I believe that’s a good thing. Not knowing keeps me mindful and in awe of the mystery.
It tethers me to the Divine through faith. After all, if one is so certain one knows, there is no need for faith.
Whether one believes in Jesus’s physical resurrection is up to each individual. There is no need to get caught on that theological sticky wicket.
These days, my takeaway from Easter morning is a renewed and resurrected spirit. Regardless of what happened to Jesus’s body or whether his disciples encountered him in the flesh, as a ghost, in visions, or in hallucinations after his death, we know what they did. They went from being grieved, dejected and fearful to being energized and committed to spreading Jesus’s message and continuing his work of justice, mercy and humility.
I can buy into the fact that the disciples had an emotional and/or spiritual experience that resulted in a renewed spirit and greater focus and commitment to a cause. I’ve been there and done that. You probably have as well.
What about Easter?
For my part, I will remember the life and work of Jesus. I’ll grieve his death and the shameful manner in which it occurred at the hands of sinful men.
And I will celebrate the hope of a renewed spirit that will lead to all that God, by whatever name, requires—to seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly. That takes care of the Easter conundrum for me.
It is important to note that much of the religious world marks various celebrations during the spring, a natural time of renewal. Our Muslim neighbors celebrate Ramadan, commemorating Muhammad’s first revelation through fasting, introspection and prayer. Given the Islamic calendar, Ramadan doesn’t always fall in the spring, but it did this year.
Jewish friends are observing Passover, remembering their bondage and celebrating their freedom. Hindu communities celebrate Holi, the festival of colors honoring the triumph of good over evil. Buddhists celebrate Songkran, symbolically washing away the past year and making a fresh start.
These celebrations all involve remembrance and renewal—the impetus for a fresh start with a renewed spirit. I am awed by the core commonalities in our global faith traditions, and my heart is warmed and encouraged by them.
My Easter prayer is that we, the world over, could truly experience a renewed spirit and live in community with one another while seeking justice, loving mercy and practicing humility.
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Retired after 38 years in education and counseling, the last nine of those as school counselor serving a campus of 650+ third, fourth and fifth graders. When not traveling, she fills her days with community, charitable and civic work, along with occasionally writing for The Tyler Loop and blogging at Pilgrim Seeker Heretic, affirming the sacredness of life and the sacrament of relationships.
