I found myself thinking of Easter a few moments ago, this Good Friday afternoon; and what came to mind is that it’s a holiday that people of many different cultural and religious traditions can honour and appreciate. That’s because it’s about the miracle of life, actual and spiritual, resurgent and ressurected.

I am grateful that as a boy living on a farm near Streetsville many years ago my guardian family attended church every Sunday in town; and, as a result, I became familiar with the story of Jesus, his life as a boy, and as a great spirit and man who I love to this day. And that remains true, even as my spiritual journey into what I often call the Great Mystery continues.

Certain images stand out: I see Jesus going alone at the night into the Garden of Gethsemane, to pray, to ask if perhaps there might be another way. He wept. He loved life. He accepted his fate, the very next day on the Cross.

I hear him cry out, “my God, my God, why has thou forsaken me.” And I feel for Him, my beloved friend. And moments later, when one of the ‘transgressors’ crucified on either side of Jesus speaks harshly to Him, the other comes to His defence, saying, “we receive the due reward of our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” Then that man, feeling that he is unworthy of anything more, asks Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Instead, Jesus says, “Truly, I promise you, today you will be with me in paradise.” That is, for me, the most powerful moment in the New Testament, only to be found in St. Luke.

Today I am an elder man, but young at heart, even like the child I was on that Streetsville area farm, now that I have one of my own. The seeds I planted indoors at the west kitchen window have germinated. They will be planted outdoors in one of my three garden plots come warmer weather. I am excited again at the prospect of watching the gardens come alive with new life.

I live, surrounded by nature, in a secluded area on the Saugeen (Bruce) Peninsula called Hope Ness. It is near a precious body of water called Hope Bay, sacred, to those who know it leads to ‘a place of healing’ visited by indigenous people throughout the Great Lakes for thousands of years. And so, I am surrounded by Hope, and the blessings of Mother Earth. I count my blessings every day.

Happy Easter to everyone on this beautiful, little blue-green jewel of a planet, this sacred gift. We are all one family in truth and spirit.

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