MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 SERIOUS STUFF

 MONDAY, MARCH 29, 2021 SERIOUS STUFF

We are in a holy season for at least two faith communities - Passover and Holy Week.  And, for our Muslim friends, Ramadan starts on April 12th - as a month-long religious observation.  

Hindus have Holi today (March 29th). The source I looked at says, “The festival also holds significance with respect to the end of the winter season and the onset of the summer season.”

Many traditions were developed years ago - maybe as the start of spring (with “Easter bunnies”, spring flowers, longer days, spring equinox, and more.  Even some out-of-mainstream groups get into the spring concept as some gather at Stonehenge for a vernal equinox celebration.

The ancient man tried to make sense of the world around them.  They observed the lunar cycles (and ‘moons’ became ‘months’).  The Egyptians learned to predict spring when the Nile River reached the flood stage.  

The dormant season (winter) has passed, so celebrations for spring seem to be in order.

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Some of the concepts for both of these events do overlap.  

Passover remembers the “passing over” of the Angel of Death by painting the door jambs with the blood of a spotless lamb.  

Easter and Holy Week also talk about a spotless lamb - but more in a philosophical sense.  

And, in both orientations - the lamb is slain - killed - intentionally.  The shedding of blood to atone for sins is a common theme.  Leviticus 17:11 says “for the life of the body is in its blood. I have given you the blood on the altar to purify you, making you right with the Lord.[e] It is the blood, given in exchange for a life, that makes purification possible. “

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It also seems to me that the major religions of the world are aiming for holiness and purity.  Thus they have ways of purification - confession of sins, atonement for sins, even self-harm for sins.  

There also seems to be a way of meditating - prayer, meditating, retreats, formal and informal worship.  If God (or god) is infinite, and somehow was involved in the creation, how does one (‘man’) draw closer to Him/Her/It/The Force?  

So, while wars have been fought over religion, at the very basics are some common roots.  

The old concept of “an eye for an eye” 

Leviticus 24:19-20

“Anyone who injures another person must be dealt with according to the injury inflicted— a fracture for a fracture, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Whatever anyone does to injure another person must be paid back in kind.”

In a weird parallel aspect, if you did something wrong - you need to atone for it.  Some kind of “sin offering” - the blood of a lamb.  Maybe I was unfair to another, maybe I slandered another, maybe I had negative thoughts about another, (or maybe I should have helped my neighbor move and I didn’t!!) - then I need to make up for my thoughts, words, or deeds.  

In the modern judicial system, such misdeeds will have fines - or possibly jail time (and sometimes even community service time).  

BUT …

In the Judeo-Christian view, “an eye for an eye” might not apply

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19.

That sounds as if somebody hurts you (or your eye), you DON’T retaliate - let God avenge it (“Vengeance is mine”).

(But, I really HAVE TO get back at the jerk that did this!!!  He hurt me - emotionally - and I’ve just got to hurt him!!!!   Too bad, at least in the New Testament concept, don’t avenge yourself!!!

Most religions have a concept of good and evil - and atoning for evil.   With that, comes the concept of morality - marriage, divorse, crimes.  Most religions will agree at least partially on the Ten Commandments - honor your parents, don’t steal, don’t covet anything of your neighbors - including his wife (or her wife or her husband), don’t lie, don’t cheat.  Most will also use the first commandments - in their context - No other God’s - don’t swear.  

So, why can’t we get along better?  (Too much secular and Nationalism in religions might be my answer)

So, in this Holy Week, I may tread in that area of religion.  (They (whoever they are) say “Don’t talk about religion and politics - and I guess I’ve violated that!!!)

LOVE WINS!!!

HUGS!!!

Karen