Resurrection
Post-modern
thinkers would explain the recent phenomenon we have in the world today as: the
deconstruction of the institutions and values. Its manifestations are seen
everywhere. Religious and secular institutions are all afflicted with this new
wave of cynicism. Questioning religious authority and teachings have been the
agenda of the day for quite some time. Meanwhile, many people delight in the
tirades against moral authorities.
Some
hint that this phenomenon was brought by the failure of the institutions to
reassert their relevance in the changing times. Times have changed. People
expect that their institutions would change with them. But the reason is more
than this assumed expectation. Truth is that many religious and social
institutions have blend with the changes in the world but the waning of respect
and the apathy of many continue. And despite the fact that the institutions
have asserted themselves, the irrational attempts at their deconstructions have
continued nonetheless. The postmodern times have produced deep sense of
distrust and self-centeredness where religious authorities and values have
become vulnerable targets and victims.
The first original sin is not so much
about eating the forbidden fruit or a mere defiance of moral authority. It is
human being’s inordinate assertion of autonomy from the Creator—the false claim
of existence away from the supreme authority of the Creator of Life. And so it
is today. The attacks on religious authority is not a mere defiance of the
moral values that they represent—the assaults, even in the assumption that they
have been made in good faith and with best intentions—are attempts at living a
life of absolute autonomy.
However, human beings do not exist
in isolation. No matter how claims for absolute autonomy take their toll
against religions, beliefs in God and in the religious institutions would
continue to reassert themselves because they represent the highest human
existence—a life integrated with whole system of life support, i.e. family,
community and the belief in the Creator. Religious values will continue to
re-assert themselves for that is where they find their relevance in the
changing times.
The message of Resurrection is far
stronger than any attempt to render the moral authority of religions
irrelevant. Resurrection transcends all human institutions. As a concept, it is
far more than rhetoric. In the physical plane, it represents hope in times of
great distress. People of goodwill, the new life springing in the natural
environment, the rising sun—these are the physical manifestations of resurrection.
Spiritually, it is the core of the Christian belief. Jesus Christ rises up with
the message of salvation for humankind. His sacrifices have meaning because He
had risen up from the dead. People who believe in him cannot perish even if
their bodies would be mutilated and burned to ashes. Resurrection keeps people
fighting for a just world.
This is what the world needs today.
Belief in the resurrection gives people reason to resist all temptations to
squander the gift of life and the delusions of complete autonomy from the teaching
of religious faiths. People need to see resurrection as the summit of human
civilizations. Without faith in resurrection belief in the survival of human
civilization can easily be dampened by the post-modern culture of
deconstruction and distrust.
There
is nothing more beautiful than this: the self-giving sacrifice of a Man who
laid down His life so that everyone shall live in abundance of the Kingdom of
God. Happy Easter!
