Easter and Partings

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Last night we were in a dinner with some close friends. Friends whom we got to know over last few years, developed close relationships, and been of support to each other. It was more like a “fare well dinner” for us. Looking back at the last year, there has been many “Goodbyes” in our life. Some final goodbyes, some short term partings, some others medium term. The last one week or so has been filled with medium term goodbyes with the hope that we will see each other again, soon, though we might not be around in Delhi. It was an emotional moment for us, where we were reminiscing on the past events and recognizing that one phase of life was over.

For the disciples who saw Jesus on the cross, on that Friday noon, it would have been like a final goodbye to their master and teacher, whom they thought they might never see again. And the Saturday would have been filled with emotions of confusion, anger, sorrow, fear and distress. The men could not even get out of their rooms but on Sunday morning some women braved themselves to come out and see where their master was buried and do whatever possible they could do. They went expecting to find a closed tomb and soldiers guarding, but what they saw changed their lives forever!

They were brought back to the realization that, the parting which they went through 2 days ago was only a temporary one! And though the Master will physically go off again, they will never be parted again, because He was alive. The spiritual relationship they had was to stay and to build on!

Easter gives a different perspectives on all partings and separations we go through. Short or Medium term partings may be “physical” by being away geographically, but our relationships do not need to be given up, rather can be built up on further because these are spiritual! Out of sight need not be out of mind!  But this needs proactive commitment to sustaining and building these relationships. That is what the first century followers of Jesus did. They disciplined themselves to building these relationships. Some even traveling and spending time with each other so that the relationships with each other and their Master can be further built up on.

Even the final separations makes sense when we look at the same through Easter eyes. There is nothing final for the spiritual being that we are. Like someone has said “we are spiritual beings who happened to have a body”. If that is so, some of the final good byes I have said this year takes a different perspective. Yes, there seems to a physical separation for some time but there will be a renewing of relationships one day.

How do I live separated today but strengthening relationships daily? How do I live today separated but with the hope of a reunion tomorrow?

 

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