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This week: Resurrection: Not Just For Christians Edited by: Sophurky  
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Hi, I'm Sophurky ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter. As Passover begins for Jews on Friday, and Easter arrives arrives this coming Sunday for Christians, this week we'll talk about Spring and the spirituality and power of rebirth, renewal, and resurrection.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred.  |
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Resurrection: It's Not Just for Christians
Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, as trees that appeared dead with their cold, gray branches suddenly burst back to life as little green leaves pop out all over. The cold dark ground of winter also comes to life as crocus and daffodils poke their heads through the ground, painting the landscape with bright colors, and robins return to feed on garden worms as the soil begins to warm. No wonder (in the Northern Hemisphere anyway) Spring is a time of celebration and worship for followers of a variety of spiritual paths, many of whom have religious observances that have to do with rebirth, renewal, and resurrection.
Pagan religions celebrate Vernal (Spring) Equinox on or near the first day of spring (March 20/22). Day & Night are equal length on this day, and it is a time for planting and celebrating the first signs of fertility and rebirth. As Paganism predates most of the world's religions, symbols like eggs, chicks, and rabbits have been adopted from the Pagans by Christians in their Easter holiday. In fact, the word Easter comes from the name of the goddess Eostra, Ishtar or Astarte.
Speaking of Christians, Western Christianity will observe Easter this coming weekend -- on Sunday, April 8. Orthodox Christians will observe Easter the following Sunday, April 15. All around the world people who have adopted Christianity as their spiritual path will celebrate the risen Christ, whose message of hope, love, and salvation, could not be halted -- not even by death.
And usually very close to Easter, either before or after, followers of Judaism celebrate Passover. Passover (also known as Pesach) is an eight-day celebration that begins on the night of the fifteenth day of the month of Nissan of the Hebrew calendar. Passover reminds Jews of their deliverance and "rebirth" from Egyptian oppression, when the Israelites were freed from bondage and began their long arduous journey to the Promised Land. The highlight of the Passover celebration is the ceremony of Seder Meal. In 2012, Passover begins at sunset on April 6th.
From the beginning of human history, spiritual observances and religious holidays have been in tune with nature -- which makes perfect sense. Early humans sought to find their way in the world, as we all do, and desired meaning in their lives, as well as understanding the world around them, including the spiritual realm. Since they lived much closer to the land than we do now, originally dwelling in caves and other very basic shelters, they were more in tune with nature especially in terms of the seasons. So of course their spiritual connections would begin with the natural world around them.
Spring, no matter where one lives or what spiritual path one follows, is a time of hope (meaning, even if you don't live in the Northern Hemisphere, the promises and hope of Spring still hold true, just six months later). What once appeared dead and gone suddenly springs to life again -- and does so again and again each year around the same time, as the days grow longer and warmer. Of course early humans celebrated at this time of year, grateful for the return of the growing things around them and the beautiful flowers bursting from what had previously been seemingly barren soil. It reminded them, and reminds us, that what appears to be dead is never really gone, what has died can and will be reborn.
I'll close my words with a favorite hymn we sing on Easter Sunday at my congregation:
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there's a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There's a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There's a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
Wishing all of you a Happy Spring, and a blessed Easter or Passover to those of you who will be observing those sacred holidays this week!
Sophurky |
Below you'll find some spiritual offerings from other WDC members about rebirth, renewal, and resurrection. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.
| |  | Invalid Item
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#1858837 by Not Available. |
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Then I see it. Growing between two rocks, a single crocus;
#1859050 by Bikerider  |
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#1660811 by Not Available. |
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#1859048 by Not Available. |
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Here is a response to my last newsletter "Spiritual Newsletter (March 7, 2012)" about "Herding Your Own Goat:"
From fridah 
excellent and i wish most of our kenyan men could read this
Glad you enjoyed it.
     
From ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy
"Invalid Item" Again, you've given us words to think about. All to often, in moments, we have let someone "get our goat" and tip us to speak or act differently than we intended. Also, I am grateful that you keep your focus on "paths to God and all are true paths" because those who would "get our spiritual goat" are so demanding that we all believe that they are correct and name Jesus and the Bible...I left that path long ago because of so much anger, criticism, jealousy, among such believers; and, I cannot accept the history of Christianity through the Crusades and their historical Popes as giving us that ONLY CORRECT way. Thank you for keeping spiritual newsletters on the "spirit" not some so-called 'correct' way. God bless...
Thanks so much, Ann, and for sharing your item with us!
From Zeke 
I think no one is completely immune to violent thoughts. The key is to keep those thoughts inside yourself.
Zeke
Perhaps - or maybe to find a more positive, healthy way to express them that creates life rather than destruction?
From catty
I too, worked with a supervisor who seemed to thrive on getting everyone's 'goat'. Early on, I figured out early on after being hired that if I declined to participate in her verbal warfare and just said "Yes, ma'am" or "No, ma'am" she quickly grew bored with me and left me to my work. Don't get me wrong, there were days that if she'd come up and said the sky was red, I simply thought to myself "Okay, the sky is red - at least until 5:00 o'clock-then it's back to blue!" She loved to push everyone's buttons and made life miserable in that office, but she made me a stronger person for it. - catty
Seems we all have an experience like this, doesn't it? But I like the point you make - we can choose to let it annoy us and be angry about it, or see it as an opportunity for growth. Thanks for your thoughts.
From 2bemar
Herding my goat :) I love that
Yes, Mr. Sophy is very clever. 
From Chick4Jesus
While this was a very good and inspirational newsletter I'm afraid there was some untruth to it.
Buddhism is not the basis for the so true principles set forth in this letter. Jesus Christ and the bible is. He has told us to love one another with unconditional love and to live a peacable life. In doing so we are following his will and comandment.
Also if you believe God to be true and that is not a liar,as his word says he cannot lie, then you must belive this verse:
John 14:6 (In read letters)
"Jesus said unto him: 'I am THE WAY, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father but BY ME'."
Jesus is THE WAY. Not A WAY. He is the only way to get to God the Father.
Thank you for sharing these inspirational words of non-violence with us.
:)
Chick4Jesus
Thanks for you comments. While my beliefs and spiritual path are different than yours, it does not make them untrue. You have your "truth" and I have mine, I respect your beliefs and your right to them, and I hope you will do the same. It might help to keep in mind that this is the Spiritual Newsletter, not the Christians-only Newsletter, which means there will sometimes be different faith perspectives shared. Personally I think learning about traditions other than our own not only enhances our own faith, but also helps us see how similar they are.
From njames51
"I am the whole reason they have existed at all"
Sophy ~ a powerful newsletter. Growing up I began to yearn for the past and why I live in this time. I knew my Grandmother only. Near the end of my mother's life, she gleefully shared and compared history with her sisters. My aunt did our geneology trace, folks were identified, heartbreaking memories were shared. I wrote a poem to my Mother thanking her for "being", because with her not being born, I could never have existed. And because ancestors came from Prussia in the early 1700's, I was born in America.
Your explanations, research, interpretive style and wisdom are reasons your Newsletters waken me to contemplative thought, a pondering, and finally cheer of all in good is good, the world works still as times before. There is purpose, meaning, reasoning for how God is playing this out. That is all I need to know. Thanks again!
- Nancy
Wow, thank you for the kind words. I believe your response comes from a newsletter I did about "All Saints/All Souls" Day last October, and I sm so glad it struck a chord with you. Thank you for your compliments, and yes, things are all playing out as they should.
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming! Until next time! Sophurky |
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Spiritual: April 04, 2012 Issue [#4972]
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