The
Essence of Easter
(For - Give - Ness)
FOR God so loved ……… that God GAVE ……... the NESS-essities
of all we need for an abundant life.
One of God’s greatest gifts to the world was the one called Jesus. For
Christians he especially is the expression [Word] of God’s great love for all
people, in every time, and in all places. He spoke about and demonstrated the
very essence of God in our world.
His FOR-bearers, who became leaders in their time, were very similar.
Moses was born of humble
parents. He was placed among the bulrushes to protect his life. He was found by
Pharaoh’s daughter and grew up in the safety of the palace. He became aware of a
holy calling when confronting a burning bush. He boldly risked his own life by
confronting Pharaoh in order to save his people from slavery.
How fascinating it would
be to go on to name and describe so many: David, Joseph, Joshua, Nehemiah,
Samuel, Deborah, Solomon, Esther, and many others.
Jesus was born of average parents. According to Scripture he was born in a
manger in Bethlehem. Joseph and Mary moved from there to Nazareth because they
feared for Jesus’ life. While we do not know much about his early life, he did
go to the Temple when he was twelve years old with his parents. Jesus created
some confusion and anxiety when Jesus remained in the Temple and did not follow
with his parents to return home with them. When John baptized Jesus in the
Jordan River we learn of Jesus’ calling to be the Christ. He began his ministry
by going into the desert for forty days and nights as a solemn preparation. He
then, according to Scripture, had a unique confrontation with Satan to declare
his allegiance to God and the ministry he would undertake.
As an itinerate Rabbi he would speak boldly about the Realm of God and about
God’s love for everyone, especially for those who were widows, orphans, and
ostracized in any way by Society. He mainly spoke in parables to explain the
abundant life God intended for all and his actions brought significant relief to
many. Jesus was a man of word and deed and encouraged as many as he could to
follow in his pattern for life as the will of God. He was unique in calling many
of the “average” people of his day to become leaders in God’s ways. The
Scriptures especially tell us about the Twelve Apostles who became disciples of
Jesus. It was not always easy for them to follow him and speak and act in the
same decisive manner as his teaching, but they and many others were Christians
(followers of Christ).
Perhaps the simple focus of the ministry of Jesus could be summed up in the word
forgiveness. I say this because one of the clear statements made by Jesus was
when he was on the Cross, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they
are doing." He spoke about God’s willingness to forgive us and encouraged each
one of us to do the same.
Forgiveness
Many people have problems
with forgiveness. When we have been hurt, abandoned, abused, taken, neglected or
have experienced other actions that cause dilemma in our lives, we tend to feel
uncertain about forgiveness. Why do we need to forgive at all? When should we
even contemplate forgiveness? How can we even begin to forgive if there has been
a serious action or crime against us? What would cause anyone to even want to
forgive? Must there be an apology and/or recompense before forgiveness is
offered? When will circumstances make forgiveness possible?
We all realize that our
religious Faiths all teach that we need to practice forgiveness and often
provide venues to help us or enable us to practice forgiveness. We are also
taught not only to forgive others, but also to learn to forgive ourselves.
Perhaps the best way to
think about forgiveness is share some thoughts about what it is and what it is
not.
What it is:
1. We need to realize
that forgiveness is a needed release in order to have health and
wellbeing.
2. The prayer that Jesus
taught his disciples, called “the Lord’s Prayer”, urges
forgiveness if we wish it for ourselves; “forgive us our trespasses as we
forgive
those who trespass against us”.
3. Freedom from stress
and anger when it is given with or without request
4. A cleansing or washing
of mind, soul, and body
5. Usually accomplished
through interaction with others:
a) a Priest – ritual can be helpful
b) a Counselor – helps bring focus and clarity
c) a Family member or Friend – who is honest and open
What it is not:
1. To forget is not
required to forgive another nor may it be wise
2. Blame is not a
function of forgiveness but can often prevent forgiveness
3. Vengeance will usually
only make matters worse
4. Does not change or
affect anyone but yourself
Why do I suggest that forgiveness is the Essence of Easter?
I suggest it because Easter (new life – resurrection) followed the violence of
the Cross. I believe that when any violence or hurt comes to us we need an
“Easter Moment” to raise us and bring us back to health and wellbeing. This is
what happened to Jesus and this is what can happen for us. God sent him to be
the Word to tell us about life in all its fullness and who demonstrated it in
Christ’s resurrection.
Perhaps this is why the prayer that Jesus taught us has become so popular and
pervasive in our culture. We recognize, in this prayer, our need for God.
• The “Hallowed One” who brought about the Creation to
recreate that “Kingdom”
among us in every aspect of our
lives.
• The One whose will can raise our wills to bring
wholesome peace and order.
• By whose renewal we can lift our earthly ways to
those of heaven.
• The One who gifts us with “bread” – all that we need
to live well.
• The One who “forgives” so that we too may offer
“forgiveness” to others.
• The One whose power can keep us from temptation and
deliver us from perpetrating
evil.
• The One whose presence fills our past, present, and
future.
• The One who will always enable us to be at peace as
we choose to be peaceful.
As I said when I began this article: FOR God so loved ……… that God GAVE ……...
the NESS-essities of all we need for an abundant life. God especially proved
this in giving us Jesus – the model for all humanity.
Easter is the “necessity” for life in all its abundance. If we are humbled
appropriately by God’s love and receive the fullness of God’s gifts as the
Living Word has proclaimed and demonstrated them to us, we too can be raised to
do what is necessary to be at peace within ourselves and share that peace with
others. The basic vehicle for such a life, for me, is known and shared by
forgiveness!
(The Rev.) Gerard A. Pisani, Jr.
Rector – Trinity Parish in Bergen Point – Bayonne, NJ
May the peace of God that passes all understanding, keep your heart and mind in
the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, Jesus Christ; and may the blessing
of God; Creator, Redeemer, and Sanctifier be with you now and always. AMEN.
