What I Learned Over Lent:

What I Learned Over Lent:

As Easter rolls around it's tough not to be caught up in a whirlwind of new life and second chances all around us- the end of something always hands over a torch to the new beginning. Easter finds itself ushering in the transition that ultimately marks springtime as the season of paradox. In fact, the number of contradictions as we approach Easter is bordering on eerie. Case in point:
Right before Easter, the Jews celebrate Passover. The whole point of the ceremony is to commemorate a people that'd just been delivered from oppression, yet the meal itself is prepared for a people fleeing for their lives. Muslims hold this ceremony in high regard too. Bit of a paradox.
Atheists will take notice that the core of springtime is actually the ending of the dead season, winter. Suddenly visible are flowers and crops that will emerge out of this lifeless winter, but only once rain comes (often in April, when Easter usually is). As it is, the circle of life can only restart itself with death. Paradox, and The Lion King +1000.
Moreover, Christians are the poster children for paradox, because they center around Christ, who is essentially one big amalgum d'paradox. Even from a worldly perspective, there is something poetic about a King of all kings being born into straw poverty. And that is literally just the beginning.
Another paradox, or possibly irony, is that this King was at heart always a rebel against the establishment he was sent to save (or fulfill, to you perfectionists); he even spent most of his youth on the run from the authorities. This Jesus also spent the majority of his ministry challenging (and baffling) the highest scholars of the time- the scribes and Pharisees- with simple storytelling. Meanwhile, he gathered together the most complex following of Jews, Gentiles, Arabics, nobles, peasants, Roman officers, and religious officials from a religion meant solely for Israel. Paradox again.
So, if there is a point to this, maybe it's a special paradoxical (ok, I need a new favorite word) reminder to Christians that if someone isn't Christian, they are to be treated equal or better than you'd treat yourself, even if it’s just because it’s a paradox. It makes me worry for the extremists of late who wish to condemn all the people not perfectly like-minded. I’m mainly frazzled because they've overlooked all the teachings they were and still are founded upon. ‘The sinner cannot cast the first stone’, ‘what is done to the least of these is done unto Me’, ‘turn the other cheek’ (‘eye for an eye’ is so old school)... the mercy and humility theme continues. Actually… every major religion would advocate the cause of the poor, either for mercy or as a philosophy, so there are zero points scored for intolerance and a superiority complex.
Secondly, there’s no sense in seeing God as a ‘magic Santa Claus’ who grants wishes to good people. The antidote to this mindset is not to keep asking for blessings in what we’re doing, but to get involved in what God is doing, because it's already blessed. Forfeiting self-concern to get what you truly need? Hmm. Sounds like a paradox.
Again from the atheistic perspective, Christianity can stumble into looking a lot like a scourge if it even vaguely resembles a group of people who feel their faith entitles them to higher status. Alternatively, not a single person could deny the great benefit a true believer can deliver to all around them- that is love, charity, and relief from our struggles. Look at Bono. People should be like Bono.
I believe it was Gandhi who once said, "I'll become a Christian if I ever meet one." And Gandhi was an alright guy. After all, the only person to ever have a beef with Gandhi was Tyler Durden, and that shouldn’t count. If there is something to take away from this (from everyone’s perspective), it’s that we all need to find something good and unfailing to trust in. It settles and grounds us; it allows us to pivot and meet challenges as they arise from either side. Whatever the good thing may be. But I should say the gooder your trust is, the betterer it is.
To conclude, I'm reminded that Aquinas' definition of love was "willing the good of the other". Not 'liking to be liked' or 'giving only to receive'. The last two are just business transactions with a side of hypocrisy. To truly be good, I guess I’m stuck embracing this paradox: the only thing we should concern ourselves with is concern for others. Never fear for how things turn out for you, because if you've helped enough people along the way, the ‘It's a Wonderful Life Effect’ really is quite a reliable safety net- because those that you've helped are sure to have gained something from your actions. The people around you have been made stronger.
Right action is contagious; it creates a ripple effect. And love is always on the move.

Ok, Happy Easter and stuff.
Rabbits don’t lay eggs.