A few thoughts on Easter

About a year ago, a friend suggested that I watch the movie “Facing the Giants”.  One song from this amazingly inspirational movie remains in my “most played” playlist even to this date. To quote a few verses from this song which is titled “Completely”,

Such is the relationship that a Christian expects to have with God; a complete surrender unto Him who created us; an intimate friendship with Him who guides us through the toils and snares of earthly life.

Yet, being human, we falter along the way. Our weaknesses drag us down. Sin enslaves the best of us. Little by little, we distance ourselves from God’s unfailing love.

The season of Lent is a good time to reflect on our lives and turn back towards God. For forty days preceding Easter we engage in prayer, acts of penance, confession, fasting and other rituals to help us in this process. We commemorate “…that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-7)

Today is Easter Sunday, one of the most important days in the liturgical calendar. It is a joyful day for Christians around the world as it marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

For Christians and non-Christians alike, it is a beautiful day in spring. As blossoming flowers and twittering birds delight your senses, let today be a day of hope and new beginnings. Let it be a reminder that it’s never too late to start afresh and set things right. On behalf of the “Written for Reconciliation” team, I wish a happy Easter to all believers! May the joy of the Lord be with you all!

‘Tis the season to be… reconciled

“And all of this happened

Because the world is waiting
Waiting for one child
Black, white, yellow, no one knows
But a child that would grow up and turn tears to
laughter
Hate to love, war to peace
And everyone to everyone’s neighbour
Misery and suffering would be forgotten forever”

Thus goes the lyrics of the beautiful Christmas carol “When a child is born”. It embodies the message of Isaiah 9:6.

http://ryanslds.tumblr.com/post/13703311787/from-isaiah-9-6

On Christmas day we celebrate the birth of Jesus, this amazing child who would change the course of history with His teaching. As Christmas draws nearby, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of shopping, preparations and general merrymaking. Yet, Christmas means much more than these materialistic trappings; it is a time to reflect, a time to give and a time to reconcile.

 Maybe Christmas is all about reconciliation. I think I first heard the word from the lines of a carol-“peace on Earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled”. As the lyrics imply, it’s a time to renew our strained relationships with God; to return to His unconditional love; to thank him for sending His only begotten son for our salvation.

 Even though we usually limit it to family and friends, reconciliation between human beings is another important aspect of Christmas. Many Sri Lankans have the tradition of arranging a Christmas lunch or dinner for the whole extended family. Through all sorts of parties, cards or gifts we are actually renewing our relationships with one another. To quote a friend of mine “That Christmas reminded me that, love doesn’t belong to just one religion, or one race. Love isn’t a human thing either. There is love in us all, and it may take special days like birthdays and Christmas to show it openly, but love; it’s somewhere in our hearts.” It is heartening to see many people sharing this love by reaching out to the less fortunate too.

The story of Christmas has been told many a times over, be it through dramas, carols or paintings. Being in Sri Lanka, the soothing tunes of “kalakata pera e Bethleheme”, “Rajathi Rajamani” or “Silent night” pleases our ears alike. Yet the message of the story eludes most. To me, it is about the importance of a humble heart. He wasn’t born in a palace full of riches; a manger was his crib. It wasn’t the kings who received the news of his birth first; the angels sung it to poor shepherds who kept watch on their flocks. 

May the prince of peace be born in your heart this Christmas! The beautiful prayer of Saint Francis (listen) seems to be an apt ending at this juncture as it invites us to be an instrument of our Lord’s peace-not only this Christmas, but in each and every moment we live.

Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is error, truth;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

ඔබ සැමට සාමය සතුට පිරි සුභ නත්තලක් වේවා! இனிய கிறிஸ்துமஸ் நாள் வாழ்த்துக்கள்! Merry Christmas!

The Bo Tree

The Bo tree doesn’t give shade

To Buddhists only

It’s doesn’t cringe in disgust

As nonBuddhists walk by

The church bells toll

To mark the hour

To remind the faithful of their faith

Regardless of their faith

The calling for evening prayer

When the sun is setting

When voices become quiet whispers

It calms all, those who pray, those who don’t

The sound of bells fill the air

The Swarmi walks around

Praying, sharing the puja

He doesn’t even notice the unpottu-ed girl in the crowd