An Easter Reflection

The tomb was open, even before morning broke.

To be certain, it was not to let Jesus out. A resurrected body can supposedly walk through closed doors. So why move the stone? The answer of course is to let people in. Halfway across the globe, a Jesuit friend entitled the Lenten retreat he’s giving this year  “God in the Dungeons.” It could not be more apt today on different levels. The Church is an institution besieged with public outrage for justice and accountability in the wake of newly discovered child abuse cases involving priests. The Pope is being told to resign. The world is still chaotic. Wars and disasters threaten us all, some more than others. In my own insignificant personal bubble, I have broken all the “things” I said I would give up for Lent. A friend left the church in exasperation over the current incarnation of the scandals plaguing the church and I couldn’t even articulate any adequate attempt to persuade her otherwise. Worse, I have indulged the self-regarding part of myself in more ways than one. By any logical measure, my Lenten season was a disaster.

Nevertheless, there is a reason why Easter is the most important holiday in Christendom. It recounts the story of salvation, from the story of creation all the way to the death and resurrection of Christ, and not only tells a story of hope. It promises hope. That is what is inside the tomb. God got us this far already, do we really think he will let us go at this point? The rational part of my brain of course tells me this is complete hogwash. But whatever part about religion is completely rational anyway?

On the lighter side of things, I spent Easter weekend going around Cape Cod with some friends. I attended the Easter vigil mass, weirdly enough there was no sermon during the service, and we had a lobster and clambake feast afterwards. It was mostly a weekend of eating and taking pictures – and in this regard, the Brazilian grill in Hyannis deserves special mention.

I also managed to spend some time to reflect on the few things that have been bugging me as of late, including some unexpected things that happened over the weekend. I decided in the end, as with everything else, to take the plunge again. So hopefully with that break behind me, I will be more productive with regard to my dissertation starting tomorrow.

Most importantly, the sun is back. Spring has arrived.