Cleaning concrete can be a rather mindless task but that also means it is a good opportunity for thinking and what better topic which relates to this past week, than Easter.There are so many aspects of Easter to consider but the one which resonates with me this year is why were you there? Was it to make you feel good - that you were doing something worthwhile this Easter; or were you an observer or a participant?
For some, giving up something for Lent and/or not eating meat on Good Friday or even participating in a foot washing ceremony can be a 'spiritual' exercise. I was impressed with Pope Francis' breaking with tradition this Easter by washing the feet of prisoners, including two women, for so far, he appears to have the Christian attitude of a servant in all of his public life and not just for one special occasion. When Jesus washed his disciples' feet, it may have been a unique experience for them, but it was meant to portray a continuing attitude of humility and service to others, not a 'feel good' moment.
In some of our cities, people walked the way of the cross, reminding them of the route Jesus took to his destination of Golgotha where he was crucified. Recalling the events of Good Friday as an observer can also be thought to be a spiritual experience, a 'feel good' moment whereby I have taken time out to think on those things, but to what lasting benefit?
There were many participants the day Jesus died, some to ensure that this troublemaker was at last out of the way, and others to be part of his suffering to the end. Unfortunately they were still grieving when in fact Jesus was alive on Easter Sunday. Their grieving that day was short lived!
There was so much happening that first Easter weekend that it is easy to become involved in the physical aspects of the story. But that first Easter, Jesus, as the central figure, gave us the greatest gift of all when he was punished for our wrongdoings instead of each of us. He gave us the gift of forgiveness and eternal life, and no amount of doing on our part can make us worthy to receive his gift.
So cleaning concrete may be a mindless occupation, but recalling what Jesus did for each of us that first Easter, was a rather spiritual experience.
For some, giving up something for Lent and/or not eating meat on Good Friday or even participating in a foot washing ceremony can be a 'spiritual' exercise. I was impressed with Pope Francis' breaking with tradition this Easter by washing the feet of prisoners, including two women, for so far, he appears to have the Christian attitude of a servant in all of his public life and not just for one special occasion. When Jesus washed his disciples' feet, it may have been a unique experience for them, but it was meant to portray a continuing attitude of humility and service to others, not a 'feel good' moment.
In some of our cities, people walked the way of the cross, reminding them of the route Jesus took to his destination of Golgotha where he was crucified. Recalling the events of Good Friday as an observer can also be thought to be a spiritual experience, a 'feel good' moment whereby I have taken time out to think on those things, but to what lasting benefit?
There were many participants the day Jesus died, some to ensure that this troublemaker was at last out of the way, and others to be part of his suffering to the end. Unfortunately they were still grieving when in fact Jesus was alive on Easter Sunday. Their grieving that day was short lived!
There was so much happening that first Easter weekend that it is easy to become involved in the physical aspects of the story. But that first Easter, Jesus, as the central figure, gave us the greatest gift of all when he was punished for our wrongdoings instead of each of us. He gave us the gift of forgiveness and eternal life, and no amount of doing on our part can make us worthy to receive his gift.
So cleaning concrete may be a mindless occupation, but recalling what Jesus did for each of us that first Easter, was a rather spiritual experience.
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