Holy Week

It is Holy Week. I am, therefore, compelled to blog about it for my own theological edification. As my loyal readers, you get to go along for the ride. Lucky you!

Easter represents a bit of a conundrum for me. From a purely intellectual/theological perspective, I have a hard time celebrating the death of Jesus. I was raised by two very awesome parents who had very unconventional views about traditional church beliefs. Those beliefs have rubbed off on me. As a result, I really don't buy into the idea that the murder of Jesus had to happen or that my salvation is dependent upon that murder. (I know that this is really heretical and I PROMISE I'm not writing this to be inflammatory so if you hate what I'm saying, please don't flame me - just stop reading...ok?)

What it comes down to is that I have a much easier time celebrating a BIRTH (Christmas) than a murder (Easter) - note that I didn't say "death" because I think that death can be celebrated in the right instance, as a closing of the cycle of life...etc....but what happened to Jesus was plain old murder.

Having said all of that (and bear in mind that my intellectual/theological side wrote the previous two paragraphs) - from an emotional/spiritual perspective - I LOVE EASTER. Almost every year I observe Lent and I get a lot out of this season spiritually. I truly feel a sense of renewal and am able to focus on my own inner growth more than at any other time of the year.

Weird, huh? It's almost as if my intellect and spirituality are not really on the same plane about Easter. When it gets right down to it, that's probably true in a lot of areas and the best thing for me to do is to just accept that's the way it is, follow my heart and my spirit, and (as I plan to do tonight) attend Maundy Thursday services. So I'm really looking forward to partaking in the Lord's Supper tonight and I've decided that I'm going to stop trying to figure out WHY that is and just take some time to reflect and listen.