personal | The Tony Burgess Blog

He has risen, now what? The celebration of Easter is perpetual. God’s people cannot just show up on Christmas and Easter because the faith of Christians is a challenge to be active, communal, and loving. It requires believers to love as we are loved by Jesus.

God is good and I am down with that sentiment. But are his people? Not always but that is what forgiveness and love are about. That is the power of resurrection. God loves his people and we have to be reminded that love overcomes a lot of stuff.

Remember the love of the returning Christ is also a call to resist the evils of fear, hate, and other things that do great harm to our friends and neighbors. Be yourselves but be the best you can with a little help from fellow misfits like Jesus.

Note: This reflection is meant to share my feelings and thoughts on the Christian observance of Good Friday. I respect the faith traditions of people who in good faith are willing to have dialogue with others.

Today is Good Friday and as usual I’m taking a different spin on it. Sure it’s the day when Jesus went to the cross. It’s the day when chaos broke out. It was the day when love reigned and ruled. The death of Jesus was about coming attractions and the future of humanity. The most important thing to remember is that he lived radically and loved everyone along the way. Without all the work he did his death would not mean as much. For those who say they aren’t worthy of Jesus’ love and sacrifice miss the point because he would not have endured the pain unless he thought we were worth it all. In the light of recent events Jesus reminds us that love should blow the hell out of fear and hate. So on this day of darkness remember the light of love will shine soon enough.