What Would Jesus Think of Easter?

Happy Good Friday, Modern Philosophers!

Back in the day, this meant a day off from Catholic school.  In the adult world, however, it was just another $%!##& day at work.

Oh well.  Just because there’s a “Good” in the name, doesn’t mean the Friday has to live up to the title.

But the work week is over, and now I can slip into one of my weekend togas and get some writing done.  As I posted earlier on Facebook, writing will always be my safe place and I can flee there whenever life is a drag.

Besides, it’s Easter weekend.  If ever my horrible life is going to rise from the dead to become something bigger and better, this is the time.

So join me in the Friday Night Think Tank to celebrate the weekend and get some Deep Thoughts flowing.  This will help you unwind and give the Easter Bunny some time to case your house to figure out the best point of entry for tomorrow’s visit.

This week’s topic: What would Jesus think of what Easter has become?

I went to Catholic school and was raised by an overly Catholic stepmother, so Easter was all about Jesus’ Resurrection, Easter Sunday Mass, dressing up nice, giving up something for Lent, and never eating meat on Fridays during Lent.

Of course, there was still an Easter basket filled with candy waiting for me on Sunday morning, but the main focus was on religion and spending time with family.

I think Jesus would’ve been very pleased with this version of Easter, and felt that the celebration of His rising from the dead was being handled appropriately.

However, a lot has changed since I was a youngster in an ill fitting Easter suit longing to get at his chocolate bunny while sitting through an incredibly long Easter Sunday Mass.

Now Easter is all about candy and baskets piled high with sweets and toys.  Kids demand pet rabbits and baby chicks.  More time is spent hunting for eggs than searching for an empty pew in church.

If I had to hazard a guess, I’d say more kids could pick the Easter Bunny out of a lineup than they could Jesus.  Not that Jesus would ever be in a police lineup.

Plus, I’m sure that when you ask kids about Easter, they’d tell you the holiday is about the Easter Bunny, Easter Baskets, Easter Eggs, and Easter Candy.  I’m not even sure if Jesus and his Resurrection would get a mention.

So I think Jesus would be disappointed in what Easter has become, but He’d also be happy that Easter was still included with the major holidays.  After all, He’s already used to His birthday being more about Santa Claus, snow, and presents than about Him.

I also think Jesus would get a kick out of how popular the Zombie genre has become, and would remind people that He rose from the dead long before any character from The Walking Dead ever did.

Regardless of how you decide to celebrate the holiday, I hope you have a Happy Easter!

You don’t need to bring me an Easter basket.  Just follow me on my blog and on Pinterest, and I’ll be happy!