The Triduum, a fancy church word for the days between the Last Supper and Easter morning, the foundational Three Days of Christian faith, are here. Jesus faces the consequences of his radical fidelity to God’s radical compassion, and is put to death by the powers – the temple authorities and the Roman Empire. And then, Christians proclaim, he rises on Easter morning. We still feel his life empowering ours.
What difference does that make for me?
Here’s what I think: If I, following Jesus’ example, choose to let go of false identities, untrue selves, the things that I think are me but aren’t, Jesus’ resurrection is the promise that there will be something left of me.
And what will be left is the real me, the me that lives in God. The me that’s irrevocably connected to the Source of All – bright, shiny, holy, full of potential.
Many of you will recognize Pema Chodron as a Tibetan Buddhist teacher. I don’t believe that this death and resurrection cycle is exclusive to Christianity. It’s all around us and within us, and easy to see when Spring arrives. Death and resurrection is embedded in the world. Jesus is one way into this Mystery. He’s my way, and perhaps he’s not yours.
However you enter this mystery, may your Three Days be blessed with holy self-annihilation. And may you rise again – a realer, truer, more grounded version of who you actually are.
Your point that the cycle of death and resurrection are not exclusively Christian is so welcome! Thank you!
You’re welcome, Nicola. Thank you for reading!
I love this particular post so much! I’ve been torn for years on my hard core Baptist raising of Hell, fire, brimstone belief! It kept me safe from crossing the street of sin, but how can my Jewish father in law be dammed to not receiving the same gift of salvation! He was an amazing loving, charitable person! The same goes to my Buddhist friends…..they are love!
I know there is a dark force that resides in our world and I do believe he is Satan. I’ve experienced things that only happen in horror movies when I was 14 after bringing home a homeless 19 year old who was heavy in the occult. I found pity on him living in a neighbor’s shed. I believed greater is he in me then he who lives in the world! It was the biggest regret of my life! I do not dabble in any kind of fortune telling…. psychic readings…. Astrology…ect. I have a respect of who Jesus defeated and I want no business with that darkness! The story of the Good samaritan validates that I don’t have to bring people home to be charitable because he did not. He facilitated and paid the innkeeper to take care of him. I believe in love and commpasion which is my traits from the Holy Spirit. God commanded us to love and I love all people! I do not judge people…..but I’ve wrestle with my belief that Christ salvation is only for a certain club…..Good Friday blessing and Happy Easter!
Thanks for sharing your story, Tricia. I’m glad this post resonated with you!