Easter Sunday: A Day of Hope, Love, and Resurrection
Easter Sunday, also known as Resurrection Sunday, is a significant Christian holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is a day of joy, hope, and love, as people around the world celebrate the victory of light over darkness, and the triumph of life over death. The teachings of our beloved Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba resonate strongly on this auspicious day and many of his discourses, filled with profound wisdom, shed light on the deeper significance of Easter Sunday and its relevance in the modern world.
As we know, the central message that Swami always preaches is the importance of love. He emphasized that love is the essence of all religions and that it is the highest virtue that can lead humanity towards peace and harmony. Swami once said, "Love is the path; love is the goal; love is the way." On Easter Sunday, we commemorate the ultimate act of love, as Jesus Christ sacrificed himself out of love for humanity. His resurrection on this day is a testament to the power of divine love and a reminder of the unconditional love that God has for all of creation.
Swami also explained that the resurrection of Christ is not limited to the physical resurrection of the body, but it also symbolizes the awakening of the spiritual self. He said, "The resurrection of Christ is not an isolated event, but it is an eternal phenomenon. It symbolizes the death of the ego and the rise of the divinity within." Baba emphasized the importance of inner transformation as an essential aspect of the spiritual journey- true resurrection can only happen when an individual undergoes a process of inner purification. Swami once said, "True resurrection is not an external event, but it is the resurrection of the mind, the resurrection of the heart, and the resurrection of the soul." Easter Sunday, therefore, serves as a reminder for us to reflect on our inner state and strive towards inner resurrection by purifying our thoughts, words, and deeds.
Another vital teaching of Swami that holds relevance on Easter Sunday is the concept of unity and oneness of all religions. Swami emphasized that all religions ultimately lead to the same truth, and they are like different paths leading to the same destination. He once said, "The various religions are like rivers that ultimately merge into the ocean of divinity." Easter Sunday is a day that symbolizes the unity of humanity and hence we must remember to embrace the universal message of love, compassion, and forgiveness that Jesus Christ embodied, and to see beyond religious differences to recognize the inherent divinity in all beings.
On Good Friday I was fortunate enough to attend the Northern Regional Easter Programme and celebrate Easter with my beloved Sai family. It reminded me of all the messages from Swami outlined in this article, and was an opportunity to practice His divine teachings. I hope everyone had a memorable Easter weekend and had a chance to connect with their inner Swami on the auspicious day of Easter Sunday.
Jai Sai Ram.
-Naomi Wadhwani