The Passage between death and new life or resurrection needs very little space.
From seed to plant…
from caterpillar to butterfly …
From foetus to human being …
From human-centredness to ecocentrism …
from being selfish to planetary awareness
and from being Jesus of Nazareth to the Universal Christ …
But it is a process by which the Universe became more conscious with the emergence of the human species. This little space is designated by the context and the being with which he or she is fed.
Jesus’s context was the same as that of all the other Jews of his time but his interpretation of the scripture was different from the scribes and teachers of the law. Structured or closed minds could not understand his message of liberation or freedom from within. He touched the very essence of all being, the original blessings, goodness, Love, the divine-self deep within. He strongly spoke about his inner experience of God, every way he could, and witnessed to it through his very life.
“Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” (John 3: 6-8)
Jesus’ conscious, free choice, allowed him to be killed, communicating the message of the Spirit who was hovering over the very inception of the Universe as the Genesis first account tells us. Having understood the co-existence of darkness and light, his invitation was to live in the light where one can see oneself as one really is, not as others say or as a false-self depicts. This is where inner transformation happens and the outer changes occur.
As renowned theologian Karl Rahner says, “Easter is not only about the resurrection of one individual, but it is also about the whole of creation.” Easter is not only significant for us human beings alone. By our very participation, Easter becomes an everyday reality for the planet earth.
Today, in the midst of wars, the destruction of the common home, violence, consumerism and various other manifestations of brokenness we, the conscious beings are trying to bring harmony, love, generosity, peace and creativity for a better life. The space between death and new life calls for perseverance, inner freedom and getting touch with the originality of human nature.
May our celebration of Easter encourage each one of us personally and all of beings collectively to share our common, pristine nature for life!
Jesmin Fernando
General Councillor, Rome