Admittedly, it can be difficult to focus on peace and hope and reconciliation on this Easter Sunday. But amid contentious conflicts here and abroad, during a time of war in Europe and an age of seemingly impassable political conflicts between our own citizens, the holiest day on the Christian calendar offers comfort for many.
Christians throughout the world and the nation and our community believe that today marks the rising of Jesus from the dead. In turn, it marks the promise of everlasting life and a redemption from sin.
During his Easter message a year ago, Pope Francis said: “Jesus, the Crucified One, is risen! He stands in the midst of those who mourned him, locked behind closed doors and full of fear and anguish. He comes to them and says: ‘Peace be with you!’ ”
Indeed, we hope for peace for all of humanity. Regardless of one’s personal beliefs or the differences between religions or the atrocities inflicted over millennia in the name of religion, we can find solace in messages of hope espoused by all faiths. As Proverbs 12:20 in the Bible says, “Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.”
And so, Christians today gather with families and fellow worshippers to celebrate that promise of peace. Many of the traditions to be observed can trace their origin to pagan rituals or to the Jewish holiday of Passover, but the mere date of the celebration is a source of confusion.
As History.com explains: “Easter typically falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon occurring on or after the spring equinox.” That can land the holiday anywhere between March 22 and April 25. Last year’s Easter fell on April 17; next year’s is March 31. Regardless of the date, Easter hails the end of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and sacrifice that begins with Ash Wednesday.
Other Easter traditions have been embraced by many secular and non-Christian people. Since pre-Christian times, eggs have symbolized fertility and birth, and over the centuries, they have become inextricably linked with Easter. So, too, has the Easter bunny, a tradition that historians believe arrived in the United States with early immigrants from Germany.
According to History.com: “Several Protestant Christian denominations, including Lutherans and Quakers, have opted to formally abandon many Easter traditions, deeming them too pagan. However, many religious observers of Easter also include them in their celebrations.”
Through that, there is a connection to be found. As religion reporter Elizabeth Dias of The New York Times has written, “Religious ritual holds power not only because it connects people gathered in one space — it also connects people across time.”
Regardless of how Americans celebrate Easter — or whether they do at all — there is a message inherent to the season that can resonate with all of us. Pope Francis said last year: “Our incredulous eyes open wide, our hardened hearts break open and we welcome the Easter message: ‘Peace be with you!’ Brothers and sisters, let us allow the peace of Christ to enter our lives, our homes, our countries.”
Such peace and the humility it requires can be difficult to find in modern times. But it remains a worthwhile aspiration. As 19th-century evangelist Dwight L. Moody reputedly said: “We are told to let our light shine, and if it does, we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining — they just shine.”
Happy Easter.
