Thoughts on Easter Sunday

Our hens provided this pile of eggs I hard boiled and am about to crack open to make deviled eggs. Then I'll take them down to Massachusetts this afternoon for Easter dinner at my son and daughter-in-law's house. I'm expecting a happy time.

Do I believe in the literal resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth? I don't know what happened exactly, but I know I love the story and I know that the women - the *women* - at the empty tomb are my people, even if the story is myth or allegory. Do I know for sure that there's life after death for any of us? Again, I don't know. And honestly, I don't care. This shocks people when I say it but I can't care about that. I have to live my life and love people here and now as best I can, albeit quite imperfectly, as though there isn't and either way, I'm going to die one day. It's a non-negotiable that no one outruns and no one understands, regardless of what they believe...or say they believe.

I do believe in resurrection, though. I believe in redemption. I believe in people making choices that lift themselves and other people up. That's our responsibility. That's what gives meaning to our lives, and no one's death - not even Jesus's - gives us a free pass to walk away from that. We are not "saved" from our own bad behaviors by Jesus's political execution at the hands of the powerful and dogmatic. We are made responsible by Jesus's message and his example, and the examples of others throughout history who walked in Love with a capital L, to do the right thing.

These spring holidays give us a shot at renewing a commitment to resurrection and redemption. For me, that's why they matter. After the ham and the pineapple casserole (we call it something different in our family - if you know you know) are gone and every plastic egg is emptied out, what we do next is what matters.

That's what I believe.