It’s Holy Week. We once again approach the time during which we tell the resurrection story.
It is the time of year we celebrate not only Easter, but springtime and new life. Of course, Easter is more than the commemoration of the life of Jesus. It is the rejoicing of the potential that Jesus represents and an acknowledgement that we, too, are capable of leading a life that shines the light of God.
Easter helps us answer one of the most important questions we can ask ourselves: “What am I?” The answer determines our self-concept, which influences the boundaries of our personal growth and development. Those who have embraced the New Thought/Ancient Wisdom Teachings accept that who and what we are is more than what can be seen with our eyes or described through the other of the five senses. This true self can never be endangered or destroyed. It transcends our history, human lineage, and false concepts that we have accepted for ourselves. When we live from that awareness at our highest and best, we fulfill the life that the Spirit of the Living God sees and our lives reflect our divine purpose as we contribute our unique gifts and talents to the world.
When we look at the Easter story, we are reminded that the Spirit that dwelled in Jesus or in any avatar throughout history dwells in us, as well. Jesus tells us, “you are the light” and “the kingdom of God is within.” When we fully embody that truth, we will be lifted above any earthly circumstances we may face.
The Easter story demonstrates that there is something within us that was here before we incarnated and remains after seeming death. Death is not the end of life, rather the continuation of the life process. Jesus proved this in the great demonstrations known as the resurrection and the ascension.
Jesus’ essence was so spiritualized that he was able to say “the Father and I are one.” He showed us there is no separation between us and Spirit. It is the recognition that there is only God; all else is just an illusion.
Resurrection follows crucifixion. Having gone through a number of crucifixion experiences myself, I’m relieved by this truth. The Easter story is about an old way being crucified so something new can be born. This is not a once-in-a-lifetime event and no life escapes it. When someone experiences a divorce, the death of a partner, loses a job or experiences a shift in external circumstances, an old identity dies so a new one can be born.
We look to Jesus as a model for how to resurrect from our own experiences. The Easter story is a reminder that no matter what seems to happen to us, our woes do not have the final word. We can look beyond appearances and recognize that there is a divine plan unfolding. Our task is to hold on to that vision until our life bears witness to the truth that liberates us and sets us free to be our true selves.
The entire universe is asking that we be that true self. To do so, we must go within to that which is real, indestructible, has never been born, and can never die. Jesus talked about that when he said, “call no one on earth your father.” There is but one Presence, and that Presence is within you. When our attention is on it, it begins to express as our life—our real life.
When we look at the world, we see that betrayals are just modern-day crucifixion experiences—man’s inhumanity to man, wars and rumors of war, the treatment of others as less that the children of God that they are, and the challenges that we face across the planet. At times we may think circumstances are beyond hope and it will never get better. However, it was for his purpose we were born. God transforms our world a little at a time by means of us. God needs us to shine His light to make this world a better place. When we let our own light shine, we will rise above any crucifixion experience and the entire world will celebrate the Easter of our hearts.
Through Easter we love and celebrate the master teacher by practicing his principles, living his teachings, and following his example, causing our life to shine and glorify the power, the presence, and the love of God.
All of us emanate from that loving presence. When that is our self-concept, we will be able to say as Jesus did—“He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me”—and you will experience Easter every day of your life.
Peace and Blessings,
James