In the time I have available, I don’t think I can improve on last year’s Easter message, so here it is again.
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:
10 Responses to “Happy Easter”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Happy Easter to you, too, TC. and to all who visit here.
Thank you, and a very happy Easter to you too, TomCat. A very happy Easter to all who come to PP and Care2 too.
Happy Easter and God bless you, TC!
Happy Easter to all who celebrate. Tom, I think you would look adorable in Bunny ears.!!
Happy Easter to you, Tom, and everyone!!
A Happy and Blessed Easter to you and to all who come here.
Happy Easter to all! or as my Persian Muslim friends say Easter Mubarak.
Some Muslims do celebrate Easter although there are differences in meaning. Check Jesus in Islam to get a flavour of how similar Christianity and Islam can be.
Love the Hallelujah Chorus and usually end up singing along with it. In grade 11, I was the only tenor in an all girls choir and this was one of our competition pieces.
Thank you so much for the link. I have always been interested in how religions intersect but haven't pursued it very much. That was very interesting.
Thanks for one of my favorite hymns! I can't believe the sound worked!
I agree with your assessment of the pseudo Christians, too.
Sorry I am late but Happy Easter anyway. I don't go to church anymore and I find doing so on Christmas and Easter rude. People that go every week or more have their regular seats with their friends and family. On the holidays their feng shui gets messed up with those who only go to church on the holidays. May as well admit it you just are not a regular on Bandstand any more.