Resurrection
For some whose framework is the Christian religion today is celebrated as Easter- the day when, according to tradition, Christ rises from the dead.
For others it is a secular holiday which celebrates, in some parts of the world, the resurrection of the plants which have been dormant much of the winter. In other parts of the world the plants are getting ready for their winter rest and meditation.
The words resurrection is from the Latin word resurrectionem – a rising from the dead from the past participle stem of Latin resurgere meaning to rise or appear again.
The word Easter has many possible origins or explanations. It is possibly related to the Anglo-Saxon Goddess Eostre. the mythical goddess of the sunrise and the spring or the Teutonic goddess of the dawn. The direction of the sunrise is named for her. Eastre is believed to be an ancient word for spring. In Jewish tradition Pesach- the Passover – is a celebration of the day God delivered them out of Egyptian bondage. There are many other traditions celebrating spring or new life. Although us humans can be dense at times it seems that we have always been awed and grateful for the cycles of life. Death always brings new life.
In many cultures, particularly those in which the majority of the people live close to the earth, there is an acute sense of gratitude to all forms of life which share their substance. Whether one is eating a plant food, the wine of juices, the egg of an animal or fish, or the meat of an animals there is a ritual of giving thanks and a sharing with Mother Earth or the God(s). For many of us the connection with the earth and the animals can be very distant as we hunt with shopping carts instead of weapons in the aisles of our local grocery store. Even the resurrection reminder of the dough which rises for the second or third time when making bread is unfamiliar to many.
The death of loved ones has been somewhat sanitized. Seldom do I attend a funeral of a person whose body has been prepared by family or others close community member, viewed and buried with a reminder of dust to dust to life to dust.
For many of us on this Easter Sunday there is little experience of the daily resurrection which surrounds us and which must take place if we are to provide new life to all we encounter. I am reminded of the last step of the 12-step program – “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry the message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” a reminder not only the recovering addict but to all of us that resurrection is a daily process. Daily this human gets off center – loses or gives away parts of himself – and needs to reclaim himself. Father Greg Boyle when working with men and woman coming out of Los Angeles gangs says that when he meets with someone he is helping to facilitate the person returning himself or herself to themselves even as they help him return himself to himself.
This is the resurrection – returning ourselves to ourselves. This is not only the hope but the promise of Easter – of new life – of new beginnings.
Written April 21, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
For some whose framework is the Christian religion today is celebrated as Easter- the day when, according to tradition, Christ rises from the dead.
For others it is a secular holiday which celebrates, in some parts of the world, the resurrection of the plants which have been dormant much of the winter. In other parts of the world the plants are getting ready for their winter rest and meditation.
The words resurrection is from the Latin word resurrectionem – a rising from the dead from the past participle stem of Latin resurgere meaning to rise or appear again.
The word Easter has many possible origins or explanations. It is possibly related to the Anglo-Saxon Goddess Eostre. the mythical goddess of the sunrise and the spring or the Teutonic goddess of the dawn. The direction of the sunrise is named for her. Eastre is believed to be an ancient word for spring. In Jewish tradition Pesach- the Passover – is a celebration of the day God delivered them out of Egyptian bondage. There are many other traditions celebrating spring or new life. Although us humans can be dense at times it seems that we have always been awed and grateful for the cycles of life. Death always brings new life.
In many cultures, particularly those in which the majority of the people live close to the earth, there is an acute sense of gratitude to all forms of life which share their substance. Whether one is eating a plant food, the wine of juices, the egg of an animal or fish, or the meat of an animals there is a ritual of giving thanks and a sharing with Mother Earth or the God(s). For many of us the connection with the earth and the animals can be very distant as we hunt with shopping carts instead of weapons in the aisles of our local grocery store. Even the resurrection reminder of the dough which rises for the second or third time when making bread is unfamiliar to many.
The death of loved ones has been somewhat sanitized. Seldom do I attend a funeral of a person whose body has been prepared by family or others close community member, viewed and buried with a reminder of dust to dust to life to dust.
For many of us on this Easter Sunday there is little experience of the daily resurrection which surrounds us and which must take place if we are to provide new life to all we encounter. I am reminded of the last step of the 12-step program – “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry the message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.” a reminder not only the recovering addict but to all of us that resurrection is a daily process. Daily this human gets off center – loses or gives away parts of himself – and needs to reclaim himself. Father Greg Boyle when working with men and woman coming out of Los Angeles gangs says that when he meets with someone he is helping to facilitate the person returning himself or herself to themselves even as they help him return himself to himself.
This is the resurrection – returning ourselves to ourselves. This is not only the hope but the promise of Easter – of new life – of new beginnings.
Written April 21, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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