What Easter Means to Me

Easter is a moment for praise, reflection and hope.

We are living through some tough times at the moment. With wars raging in what might seem like distant countries which seem a long way from home but no matter how far away still have an impact on us here at home. On top of that we also hear constantly about the cost-of-living crisis here at home which shows no sign of being resolved anytime soon with prices for all goods and services continuing to rise and any shoots of growth being cut down by the ongoing conflicts across the world.

Which brings me to today’s talk. No matter how hard things are, there is always hope. It is one of the few things we will always have. Before anyone shoots me down and says hope doesn’t pay the bills. I know that but believing in hope is personal to me and that’s what this blog is, somewhere to share my own personal thoughts even if they only resonate with a small number of people.

We also live in a time where faith and Christianity is very often not talked about openly for fear of being criticised so it’s easier to remain silent and keep faith private. I don’t attend Church as often as I once did but I have never lost my faith or Christian belief. I don’t need to sit on a Church pew once a week to maintain my faith or live my life by my Christian values. I still pray, I still read the bible and in moments of sadness I still turn to faith and hope. Which brings me to my thoughts and reflections this Easter.

“He is not here, for he is risen” (Matthew 28:6)

That statement in Matthew alone unites the terms of praise, reflection and hope I opened this piece with.

• Praise in that the disciples realised the true meaning of everything Jesus taught them.

• Reflection on his life and the brutality of the crucifixion.

• Finally, there is hope. Hope for a new beginning.

Many Easter lessons and readings reflect on new life. Many will interpret that in different ways and none are wrong. I truly believe that it is important for our faith that readings have a personal meaning to us and not what someone else tells us to believe through their own interpretation.

The lesson of new life for me has 2 meanings. New life in that Jesus rose from the dead which gives all Christians the hope of an eternal life and secondly, a new life in faith. Each of which for me are hugely comforting.

For all of us, our faith can be tested to it’s limit at times but at this time as we reflect on Jesus dying for us, we can renew our faith in him and in God’s plan.

New life also hints at new beginnings and for me Easter and it’s message goes hand in hand with the start of Spring. Newborn lambs, flowers starting to bloom after a long hard winter and a time for us to look forward to a new season of longer days and nights.

If I can reach just one person with this blog today and encourage them to slow down, take stock of what they’re grateful for and place their faith in hope then putting pen to paper this Easter weekend was worth it.

Amen and a Happy Easter to All.