We’ve just been to a funeral and cried bitterly. My last bitter cry was at the funeral of my granny. I was her favorite grandchild, not that I am the only child to my parents! Part of the reason was my eyes and appearance that I inherited from my Grandfather. I have often seen people cry in funerals. I still can remember how my dad cried. We normally don’t spend too much time crying over the loss, rather we spend a lot of time in cherishing the moments we lived with him/her. The blood-filled cross and the occupied tomb though initially brought fear among the friends; they gave them hope that resurrection is imminent.
Many of you would have watched the movie ‘Avatar’ by now! The central theme of the life in planet Pandora brings out many of the Eastern concepts originating from – in my opinion – Hinduism and Buddhism mainly. The centrality of the Tree and its roots inter-twined with rest of creation is so natural without which the community is found in chaos and utter confusion. Trees are so central to any civilization. Jews put them right in their 1st chapter. Man was put along with trees to learn the basics. Buddha’s enlightenment was under a tree. Every Hindu traditional house is decorated with Basil plant and other trees as to their convenience and keeping to their religious beliefs.
Cross is one such tree like the one in Avatar: a tree that intimately draws everyone to itself thus a unifying force to connect us together. We feel a spiritual sensation when we gaze at the cross that it pulls us towards God and neighbor. Jesus’ resurrected body is rooted on the sinful body with pain and suffering. In other words, Jesus’ resurrection is rooted on the Cross.
If patience is Cross; happy marriage is resurrection. If forgiveness is Cross; intimacy and happy friendship is resurrection. If studying is Cross; passing, earning money is resurrection. Rules and regulations are cross, secured life, happy homes are resurrection. Commitments, faithfulness, love are all often seen as crosses. We want God to bless our family, give us everything, take care of us, but we don’t want to practice any religion. We want Easter, but we don’t want Good Friday. Maximize pleasure, minimize pain is always been our motive in life. Couch potatoes with multi-tasking are the growing trend today. Multi-screen viewing is following rapidly.
Jesus wants his disciples not to just experience the joy of Easter, rather the responsibility and accountability with which he carried the Cross. He wants all the run-away disciples to assemble for a just cause; more people to carry his cross, wipe his face; more to be at his side and beneath the Cross. Jesus’ own funeral was empty with loneliness and defeat; thus in His resurrection He brings people together.
The first tree that was planted in the middle of Garden Eden opened their eyes – the tree of life and death. Here the second tree is planted in the middle of Church opens our hearts – the tree of Death and Resurrection. Every time we are prepared to ‘die’ for our values, principles, religious sentiments, love, faith and hope, we are actually given the hope of Resurrection. Resurrection is a reward for those who chose this tree – a great life of love and service. Is this love free? Does this Resurrection come with no price tag? Think again!
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