Whether or not you are a Christian, I respectfully invite you to join me in the celebration of the my faith’s most central holiday, even though many of its traditions are borrowed.
Jesus was a fascinating man. He associated most closely with the social rejects of his day. He respected people with faiths different from his. He did not burn their religious writings or try to prevent them from their own forms of worship. Sometimes he used them as an example of what is right, like the Good Samaritan. He had a heart for meeting the needs of the poor, and admonished us to care for them. His concern for the rich was that their own greed would blind them. He had no trouble getting along with sinners. He met people at the point of their need, and accepted all, except for the religious hypocrites who used their position to enrich themselves at the expense of the poor and to force their own piety codes, which they often ignored themselves, onto others. Those were only people Jesus condemned. Sadly, they are still among us.
If we are followers of Jesus, our faith will help us to follow the example of what he did. Of course, none of us is perfect in that way. God knows that I fall short every day. It is important to know that those who preach the things Jesus was against, but condemn those who contend for the things Jesus supported, are not followers of Jesus. They are pseudo-Christians. Authentic Christians try to follow Jesus’ example.
And now, for your listening pleasure:
16 Responses to “Happy Easter!”
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Bless you dearest TC for providing a video of part of The Messiah – I saw a wonderful one hour programme a couple of days ago about The Messiah – apparently Handel was so inspired he wrote the music in 24 days – and it's originally troubled history. It had a wonderful debut in Dublin – but then came to London and the commentators sharpened their quills and dipped them in vitriol before the rehearsals were even complete (and sounding like utter hypocrites) they queried that a piece of religious music should be performed by ordinary people and in (gasp!) a theatre! Patently they had omitted to read the Gospels and had thus missed that the Son of Man came eating and drinking with sinners and tax collectors… The fuss was so bad that this wonderful piece was put away for years – then it emerged again and the time was now right and it was performed in The Foundling Hospital – where it was so popular it was gatecrashed! It made thousands and thousands for The Foundling Hospital in repeat performances till (and after) Handel's death in 1759.
(William Hogarth also helped The Foundling Hospital amazingly – not only gifting them a wonderful portrait of its founder, Thomas Coram, and encouraging his pupils to put their paintings on the walls [rhe first art gallery for the public] but also knowing that people respond to visual appeal, designing the shield and motto for The Foundling Hospital – the best one in the world – just one word…"HELP").
BTW I agree with everything you have said about Jesus – I have loved him for 30 odd years because I see him like that too.
Happy Easter TC and everyone!
And interestingly enough, Handel's "Messiah" was originally intended as an Easter offering.
Of course now it's locked into our Christmas repertoire, but it was originally performed April 13, 1742, in Dublin as you said.
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-glorious-history-of-handels-messiah-148168540/?no-ist
Thank you both for the context.
Happy Easter to you as well, TC. I cannot improve on your exposition, but I want to expand a little on borrowed traditions, which for some reason some people find shocking (I know Christians who won't use the word "Easter" because of its etymology, but instead say "Resurection Sunday"). Phooey. As Jesus accepted all, real Christians have accepted traditions of all (not in conflict with Jesus' teachings – human sacrifice for instance is not acceptable) and properly used them to create a climate of welcome. Anyone who has a problem with that has a problem, period.
There is one other chorus from "Messiah" which some people think is even more glorious than "Hallelujah" although it is, of course, not as well known: "Worthy Is The Lamb/Amen." If anyone wants to check it out, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ew8ig612NQc
A very happy Easter to all.
Thanks for that lovely piece of music Joanne, I have just been enjoying it immensely!
Glad you liked it, Pat; I was feeling pleased that I managed to also find Kings College Cambridge. Not the same day or the same robes, but I thought I recognized a couple of the same faces. 🙂
Thanks, Joanne, it was lovely.
Another excellent piece. Thank you!
Thank you for blessing this day with the gift of wonderous music.
I'm reminded of the Dutch colonial days in what is now Indonesia where efforts for converts by law were limited to persons not practicing religion and the law does affirm a God, but in a way that affirms all the religions practiced in the country.
I would like to learn more about that, JL.
Happy Easter Evewryone
Enjoy your Sunday with Family & Friends…
Hugzzz…
Thanks for the beautiful music, TC. This is one of my favorites. If the pseudo Christians really read the Bible and understood what Jesus told us, they would not be working so hard to discriminate against anyone who is not rich, white, or straight.
I was part of an all girl's choir in grade 11 that had a reputation for excellence . . . we won district finals in a competition. The piece we sang when we won was The Hallelujah Chorus. Although that was some 47 years ago, I still remember parts of it and get all misty . . . I was singing along with this choir. Just magnificent!!! (them, not me!) I was the only tenor in that choir and I don't read music so it was quite a challenge.
Glorious! Thank you.
I trust all here had a Blessed and Peaceful Easter.
Thank you for one of my favorite musical compositions again this year.
Thanks everyone. I'm glad we all had a peaceful day.