A word for Easter
On this day so long ago, Jesus was straight-up hilarious
If you identify as Christian (however privately you might do so, since . . . yikes), then happy Easter!
If you don’t, then happy Sunday!
The whole point of Christianity is to give every person a dependable and easy way to forgive anyone for anything. Including themselves.
Forgiving others turns hate and resentment into love and empathy.
Forgiving yourself also turns guilt and shame into love and empathy. (And if you’ve done somebody wrong, it also shows you how to make things right with that person, insofar as it’s humanely possible to do so, which is all anyone can do so that works.)
A faith system which has as its entire purpose turning hatred and shame into love and peace?
Yes please. Now please.
You know what happens when the burdens of shame and guilt and hatred and resentment are suddenly lifted from your back?
You feel liberated. Lighter. New.
You feel born again.
(I know that now that term is insanely toxic and stupid. But I don’t care. Because it’s still the best way to describe what genuine spiritual absolution feels like. And fuck letting spiritual jackals just have the best words and phrases. Born again. Christianity. Patriotism. I want them all back.)
Even if you’re not a Christian, might I suggest availing yourself of the spirit of the day? Even if you think Jesus Christ was at best a radical social activist with what can only be described as a phenomenal PR team, so what? The idea of a truly new day—a day where nobody has to feel like the world is a rotten place beyond anything resembling redemption—is still awesome.
It’s Easter. Jesus was horribly crucified on a Friday—and then, two days later, he’s walking around again, chatting people up, being hilarious.
And, yes—for the record and all—Jesus could be extremely hilarious. As proof of that, I offer this scene, from Luke 24, which took place on the day that Jesus’s tomb was found empty:
Now that same day two men were walking to Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened [concerning Jesus’ crucifixion, and how his body had mysteriously disappeared from his tomb, etc].
As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him.
“What are you two discussing together as you walk along?” said Jesus.
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
“What are you talking about?” asked Jesus. “What things?”
Drollest deity ever!
Listen, y’all. Happy Easter. In the name of the risen Lord, the Son of Man, the Prince of Peace, the very Light of the World—or without reference to any of that, but just because it feels so good and right to do it—forgive someone today.
Forgive yourself.
Release it all.
You’re a good person. And life is so, so hard.
It bends you. It hurts you. It breaks you.
It broke Jesus himself. That’s why, in the throes of his death on the cross, he cried out, asking why his father had abandoned him to his anguish.
That dude, right then and there, was us.
And then he rose again.
He started a new life.
Today is the day we remember that miracle.
Today is an exceptionally fine day for us to live that miracle for ourselves.
Happy, happy Easter.
Happy Easter, John! This post reflects on how so many of us feel in regards to Christianity. I'm so tired of having to explain I'm not one of 'them.'
Happy Easter! I definitely can get with the belief that love is the most important thing, kindness, caring etc. The God I believe in must be a God of love, and I refuse to recognize the God of meanness, viciousness, and cruelty.
I just don't understand people hating each other over their differences, religious or otherwise. Seems like it is easier to love than hate. Although it seems that anger and hatred powers a lot of people every day.
Thanks for seeing the true meaning of Christianity, which should be love.