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Magazine
REFLECTIONS
New beginnings
USHA JESUDASAN
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On the occasion of Easter, a celebration of all that it stands for: courage, trust, an implicit faith in renewal and the hope that things will change for the better in our relationships, workplaces and in our hearts.
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Whatever form it takes, self-denial is always hard as it asks that we give up that which is most important to us for the wellbeing of someone else.
Death is something we are all scared of. It is an end of life as we know it and experience it. Even though, with every death, there is a promise of a new beginning, we would rather hold on to the old life we know and are familiar with, however bad th
at may be, than venture into something new which promises something wonderful. We know from our scriptures and the sayings of Jesus that it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
For some, death is leaving a bad marriage, or moving away from a relationship that is fraught with abuse and violence. It could mean letting go of a situation where one is no longer the victim of suspicion or ill feelings. Or walking away from a job that no longer brings joy or meaning into one’s life. It could be turning one’s life over with new personal resolutions and commitments. Or just something as simple as changing one’s preconceived prejudices and unfair attitudes. Whatever it may mean to each of us, it takes courage to die this way.
Facing our death or whatever it is that needs to die in our lives is never easy. It takes much courage and implicit trust in the promise that something wonderful will open out to us. And the resurrection gives us that promise. Just as Jesus appeared to Mary on Easter morning and assured her a new beginning in faith, and life, so he does to everyone of us too. Every person I know who has plunged into life with this faith will bear witness to the power of these words: it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Jesus also shows us that the Easter message is not about the finality and sadness of death, but the hope of eternal life and the joy it brings.
For me, in this context, “eternal life” signifies new beginnings. A beginning with hope where once everything seemed dead and hopeless… hope in our relationships, at our workplaces and in the inner spaces of our hearts.
For the hope of new life to blossom, there first has to be some kind of death. For me, what needs to die is my sense of self. Giving up something that is most precious to me, so that others can benefit from my lack of it. Or a willingness to forgo any ease, convenience, taste, comfort, honour, or pleasure for a higher purpose. There are many dimensions to dying to self. It could mean refusing a high salary and a luxurious way of life, opting instead to working with the poor and the marginalised. Or letting go of a promotion that may bring more visibility, status and power, but which would remove you from work or people who are dependent on you. Sometimes it may even mean keeping your thoughts to yourself and not allowing yourself the freedom to say what you feel. Whatever form it takes, self-denial is always hard as it asks that we give up that which is most important to us for the wellbeing of someone else.
This Easter, let us put away our fear of death and all that blocks life in us, and reach out instead to the hope and joy that Jesus offers us in his resurrection.
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