“A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

Christ has gifted each one of us, irrespective of caste, religion, country or region, the gift of resurrection. Let us honour that gift by breathing in resurrection in every breath we take, says OSWALD PEREIRA

As the world celebrates Easter today, it’s a time for hope and a new life, especially in these testing Covid times. Easter is a bright day, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, after He was crucified on (Good) Friday.

Jesus’ resurrection or rising from the dead signifies the triumph of the spirit over matter. After the crucifixion around 30 AD, when Mary Magdalene, a close disciple and two other women, went to the tomb where He was buried early on Sunday, they found the stone rolled over and the body missing. Jesus then appeared in person before His disciples and followers, ten times before His ascension. This led His followers to reinforce their belief that Christ, indeed, is God, more specifically the Son of God.  

Oswald Pereira

Christmas marks the birth of Christ and the arrival of a messiah of love and compassion. Easter reinforces the faith in the messenger. If the messenger can transcend death and is immortal, it follows that his teachings, too, will prevail for all time to come.

While the resurrection, and Easter associated with it, is a very significant divine event worthy of celebration, I believe the festival shouldn’t be taken only as a one-time divine act to be commemorated yearly.

Easter should be a daily event ― to celebrate the triumph of good over evil; and the transcendence of the spirit over body-mind-matter. As we continue to evolve and strive to reach our higher Self, resurrection shouldn’t be considered just a one-time Christly act, but a daily human endeavour to resurrect the soul.

As the great yogi, Paramhansa Yogananda said, “Easter may bring lilies, bunnies, and eggs for you to celebrate Christ’s resurrection; but I pray that the lily of Christ wisdom grow in the garden of your soul, that you taste the sweetness of Christ love in your heart, that you enjoy the infinitely coloured egg of true happiness — and that, like the fast-footed bunny, may you quicken your pace towards your divine home.”

(Pic Courtesy: Beliefnet)

Over the centuries, Easter has been erroneously referred to as a Christian festival. Such a fallacious interpretation robs the festival of its divinity, which is universal and not confined to race, community or region.

Christ was never a narrow, sectarian teacher and His gospel was not one of Christianity, because there was no such nomenclature in His brief but glorious sojourn on earth. Christ’s early twelve apostles never preached exclusivity. His scores of early followers, too, never intended to be a race or a special community of people apart.

The intention was conversion of souls ― not conversion to a religion.

The resurrection may have proved that Jesus was the Son of God. But Christ might have never intended it to be a miracle or a show of power. It was a great yogic act ― Christ being a true yogi.

Martin Luther King Jr, said, “Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.”

Christ has gifted each one of us, irrespective of caste, religion, country or region, the gift of resurrection. Let us honour that gift by breathing in resurrection in every breath we take.

Oswald Pereira, a senior journalist, has also written eight books, including The Newsroom Mafia, Chaddi Buddies, The Krishna-Christ Connexion, How to Create Miracles in Our Daily Life and Crime Patrol: The Most Thrilling Stories. Oswald is a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, and practises Kriya Yoga.

More Stories by Oswald Pereira