Last week Barack Obama made his first visit to Europe as president of the United States. It was a noteworthy trip because of its relationship to the world economic situation and the hope that the leaders of the nations can find a way to help us through and out of this. I was interested to hear Mr. Obama acknowledge American errors and European anti-Americanism. Without belaboring either, he spoke candidly about what seems obvious to most people. However, not surprisingly, some critics have objected to his public admission that America makes mistakes. I understand the political motives behind the President’s candor and behind his opponent’s criticisms. I don’t get warped out of shape about any of this but it has set me to thinking about how what’s fair in politics is so off the mark when it comes to spirituality. We may claim inerrancy in anything we wish, but that is an exercise in futility when God gets word of our boasting.

     The memorable biblical word on the matter is found in Isaiah 53:6. “All we, like sheep, have gone astray. Each of us has turned to his own way and the Lord has laid upon him the iniquity of us all….” This passage is on the minds of Christians everywhere this week. George Friedrich Handel has perhaps contributed more to the impact of this verse than any other person. How often will his great composition, The Messiah, be heard this week? It is one of those classic pieces of music that transcends the “praise” music of our contemporary Christian worship scene. I’m glad for that. Don’t get me wrong, I love contemporary music. But there are a few classical works that are ageless and this is one of those. Alas, still some people fail to get the message or accept the truth of it.

     Each year for the past 45 years I have pondered the topic: “This Easter.” Many times Easter morning has broken over a fractured world. This is not surprising. The original Easter occurred in a land under occupation of the world superpower, Rome. Bible scholars sift through the biblical record and the historical political records of the time. Always the intrigue runs deep. These things are never so simple as they seem. But because of the engaging figure of Jesus at the center of the Easter story, it has the amazing ability to stir hearts and minds to new possibilities for our world. As is always the case, for countless people, the fragments of broken lives and a world in pieces will be brought together afresh this Easter. Wholeness will happen for many. For others, this Easter like many others will be a pleasant rite of springtime. The whimsical features of a celebration—bunnies and decorated eggs—will entertain the children. Perhaps this Easter will be somewhat different than others in recent memory because of the economic fear gripping the world. Maybe the commercialization of the holy day will wane a bit as we struggle to make ends meet. And, of course, always there are many for whom the spiritual dimensions of life are simply slumbering in a kind of hibernation, awaiting an awakening in another time.

     My hope for this Easter is that it will offer all you need to bring you together with your family and friends in happiness and joy. May Easter find you in good health and be a source of healing power for you who suffer. I hope your Easter will usher in a new burst of prosperity for you and that you will have the provision of all the things the things you need to make yours a good life. What would an Easter prayer be without a plea for peace, the absence of conflict in our world? And more than that, let love prevail in everything that breathes. My hope and prayer is that on this Easter you, dear friend, will have a hope and a prayer too!

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