We celebrated Easter yesterday with all the bells and whistles. We sang our Hallelujah’s. We rejoiced with all who gathered to praise God for the work of Jesus who conquered death and opened the door for us to have a right relationship with God the Creator of all that is. Many of us gathered with family or friends or both and ate whatever your traditional holiday feast happens to be. (We had pizza and salad.) And now it is Monday.
We woke to the news that the current Pope had died. A very important religious leader for the Catholic faith. He was a man who did a lot for people around the world as he offered compassion and began opening doors that long needed to be opened. And now today, we sit with the question: “What is next?” What are we going to do individually and collectively to continue the celebration of Easter? How are we going to live? Will we continue the way we have been? Will nothing change? Or will we do the reflective work we need to do and see where we are not living in the way we should be. Especially for those who profess to be a Christian.
I know I personally have work to do. But then so do we all if we are willing to recognize where our ideologies are harmful to others. If we are willing to acknowledge that we are not always right and that some people have experienced life very differently than we have. There are many who carry the wounds of trauma. There are many who are living in abusive relationships. There are many who are hurting so deeply they chose to end the pain through suicide. There are many who in the light of the joy of Easter…are in despair.
I don’t mean to be depressive in this moment. What I do want to get people to understand is that everyone is going through something. Maybe a little compassion and a lot of empathy would help us in all our relationships. Maybe our “What’s Next” is to chose to be kind in every way we can. Maybe our kindness might rub off on the other person and they are kind in their next interaction with someone. Maybe.
I think about the ways we talk to one another. I think about the ways we put people down or how we gossip in the guise of offering a prayer concern. I think about how sometimes the kindest thing we can do in a relationship is to walk away. Because in the walking away we are being kind to ourselves. And that is important too. So, just a quick PSA…if you are in an abusive relationship…get out. Leave. Get to a safe place where you can heal. Get counseling. Take care of you. And remember abuse comes in many forms: verbal… emotional…physical…and more…so much more.
On this day after Easter, what I hope and pray for is that we become mindful about the words we say and the actions we do. They matter. They have the power to help and bless the people around us. They also have the power to do great harm. As we step out in these days after Easter, let us try to be people who offer hope and healing. Let us be people who choose to be safe for all people, no matter the color of their skin, their sexual orientation, the faiths they believe, their economic status, or anything else that makes them who they are. The bottom line we all need to remember is that God created all people in God’s own image. Jesus died for all people. Who are we to discriminate against or treat people as less than. Be people who do not judge. Be people who offer healing. Be people who love.
Peace,
Beth
Beth's Blog 