This is what I wish my readers on this most joyous day of the year – regardless of whether or not they are Christians, or what kind of Christians.
In fact, I have, among my friends, readers and reader-friends, Christians of every conceivable confession, Jews, atheists and agnostics.
The last two are a distinction without a difference, but there is enough in this event even for non-believers to celebrate, for without it our civilisation wouldn’t exist, and my readers and friends, whatever their faith, are civilised people.
Since they’re also intelligent, they realise that without Easter our world would be a different place and, for all our complaints and laments, not nearly as glorious a place. For here in the West the only alternative to Christian culture is none.
Speaking of our glorious world, my readers come from every corner of it, and – though they all self-evidently speak English – the words even strangers traditionally exchange on this day must sound more joyous to them in their mother tongue.
So Happy Easter, wherever you are – even if you celebrate Christ’s Resurrection on a different day or not at all:
Christ is risen!
Le Christ est ressuscité!
Christus ist auferstanden!
Cristo ha resucitado!
Cristo è risorto!
Kristus on üles tõusnud!
Kristus er oppstanden!
Xристос воскрес!
Chrystus zmartwychwstał!
Kristus vstal z mrtvých!
Cristo ressuscitou!
Kristus ir augšāmcēlies!
Christus is verrezen!
Χριστὸς ἀνέστη!
Krisztus feltámadt!
Kristus är uppstånden!
Kristus prisikėlė!
Kristus nousi kuolleista!
Hristos a înviat!
INDEED HE IS RISEN!
For ever after my first Holy Communion in May of 1981, Easter remimded WHY.
It was Father Gerard M.Gannon and a host of Sisters – nuns, if you like – who, at the time, still held sway over a bunch of American public-school students.
In 1981 American public-school students were still “allowed” to bring their Catholic workbooks to school.
That may have been because most of our teachers were often seen at Mass a few pews over. Hey, it was a small Pennsylvania town. Italian, Irish, and Polish ancestors. Many of whom, even as late as 1981, remembered the coal mine whistles.
At Easter we oughta remember: EVERY person born is born to live the most virtuous life he can, save One: our Blessed Lord was sent into the world in human form, to die.
WHY?
Well, in order to prepare us.
Now look at me, off on some arcane digression of what Catholicity USED to be.
I hate saying ‘Happy Easter’ as much as I hate saying ‘Merry Christmas’. It just seems to connote a finality. Or what an idiot neighbor says when he has to say something.
I much rather say, “Thank you. Let’s screw the ‘happiness’ rubbish and get on back to sacrifice and virtue.”
My Alex Boot may be pleased to know that his “Democracy..Trick” has been VERY well received by my Catholic priest.
Alex ought also know how important that book is, at the risk of embarrassing him again!!
I am and will remain an avid reader.
Always,
John
I needed this, amen.
“The last two are a distinction without a difference” Agnostics and atheists.
That difference being that the former “knows there ain’t no heaven but prays there ain’t no hell!!’
A happy Easter to you too Alexander Boot, God be with you.