People who know me well know that Easter is my favorite holiday. Not because it's about the spring, but the winter turning into spring.
For Episcopalians Easter is a process, the whole cycle of life over some days. We begin tonight with a foot washing service, it may sound weird but it's really beautiful. Jesus served: we serve. That's what he was doing the next day on the cross. Then we grieve and think about being human: dark, flawed, mortal. Forsaken sometimes. Next we watch while the dark turns into dawn, coming with perfect joy that's born out of love that keeps promises.
Last year at this time I read about the Kansas City shooting, that horrible Heil Hitler event. In an article about two of the victims, a grandfather and teen, their minister was quoted, talking about their family left behind: “They said we have the utter confidence that our son and dad are together with God now; that brings them comfort...This evil thing this person has done will not have the final word here."
It was an Easter message on Good Friday.
Maybe you find this kind of faith ridiculous. Really, most days I do, too. Do people really fly off with a band of angels when they die if they believe in a Jesus fairy tale? The best I can do for faith is halfway, on the best days.
Still, like Steven Colbert says, "there are much worse things to believe in." Those two men and their faithful family seemed to be unusually happy. They lived exemplary lives, they pursued excellence. Watch a video of the boy, Reat Underwood, singing. That's why he was at the center that day, to audition as a vocalist. Those two cared about people. They spread happiness. Happiness. Made people feel loved. They seemed to feel loved, themselves, they really believed they were loved by something bigger than the universe. What's that about if it's not real?
A hope that love is more real than hate, even when resentment is the best I can offer, that's what Easter is about for me. Easter symbols are about life, one that transcends death. The full circle. Reat's mother said "we were having life and we will have more."
So I'll celebrate my faith (Lord, help my unbelief) and wish you the best on this spring day. Regardless of your beliefs, I want to wish you this kind of holiday: whatever hope means to you, I hope your day is filled with it. Happy Easter. Woot woot!
Religion has this essential thing in it that is about hope. Whether a physical resurrection or a symbolic one, Christian Easter says there's light in darkness, and the darkness can not overcome it. Hope.
