HAPPY....EASTER?

            I was at work the other day talking to one of my clients about his account.  He is a dear old man, very wise in business and in life.  Before we ended the call he paused and said, “Can I ask you a question?  Are you Catholic?”  I was not expecting him to ask me that especially after talking business.    I responded, “I used to be.  I am a born again Christian now.”

He chuckled and said, “I’m glad I asked.  I was about to wish you a happy Easter, as Catholics do.  But being a born again Christian you probably say, ‘Happy Resurrection Day’.  You’ll never hear the word Easter in a non-denominational church” He chuckled again.  I was glad that he was so amused, but dazed by the truth in his words. 

Over the next couple of days I couldn't stop thinking about what the old man had said.  After being saved, I saw Easter in a different way.   I had a better understanding that Jesus died on the cross for my sins but rose again on third day and the holiday took on a new meaning to me.  What I could never understand was the symbols that came with Easter, like the bunny rabbit, the decorated eggs and the baskets.  Where did all of that fit in?   It was like Christmas and Santa Clause.  Of course Santa Clause had nothing to do with the birth of Jesus Christ, the reason we celebrate Christmas.   The bunny has nothing to do with His resurrection either.

Eostre, Ostre, Astarte, and Ashtoreth, depending upon the area in ancient days, these were all the names of the Pagan goddess of fertility, Easter.  Every year, after the spring equinox, a festival was held named after the goddess herself.  Bunnies represented fertility.  Eggs were colored to signify the sunlight of spring and were meant as offerings to Easter during the festival.  They were planted in the dirt, hidden, until the time of the offering.  Sound familiar?  How is it that a Pagan holiday became synonymous for a Christian celebration?  

When I Googled the word Easter, images of spring, pastel colored eggs and tulips came up.  I then Googled Resurrection Sunday and images of crosses and empty tombs and Jesus came up.  A smile came to my face.  That is the “reason for the season”.  I can’t help but think that with all of the commercialism that has surrounded this holiday, people are forgetting what it is really about.   Instead, the focus is on things that have nothing to do with the resurrection of Christ.   

This Sunday, the week to come, and every day of our lives, let’s remember and celebrate the ultimate sacrifice and the great victory.  Nothing else.   Just Jesus.   

Mending Maria