Ressurection

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!