I am celebrating Easter today, which is a reminder to Christians that death is not the final answer. We celebrate Easter because Jesus, having died, was resurrected and will die no more; those who believe in him also will one day be resurrected. It is God’s way of saying our pilot episode will be picked up for broadcast and renewal.
We have this hope in us, this idea of Easter, that we will not only die when we are dead, but that something will live on, whether it is the things we have constructed, or the people we have helped to grow and change in life.
And I’m reminded that we have Easter because we have Good Friday; that everyone who is called for creation and restoration is opposed by those who would continue in destruction and misery and death.
We are surrounded by these people and these systems, which glorify (if that is the right word) all the things they can do to tear down, rip up, destroy, defame, malign, and corrupt.
I’m reminded of the efforts of these enemies to destroy every time I see good people attacked.
I’m reminded of the efforts of these enemies to tear down every time I see good organizations torn apart.
I’m reminded of the efforts of these enemies to pull to pieces every time I see good works ripped apart.
I’m reminded of these things because I see them around me.
Recently an organization in South Seattle, a community outreach center for peace, justice, teaching, training, and life, was vandalized and burglarized. Over the weekend the Umoja Peace Center had their offices and their community rooms defaced, their equipment destroyed, and their achievements trashed. Some vandals broke in, painted swastikas on the walls, cut and destroyed all their networks, and essentially trashed all their works. All the people who work there saw their efforts thrown away, all the people who use their services saw their achievements trashed, all the people depending upon this outreach and resource have seen their community shut down, all because evil men are doing their best to destroy and to bring death to the heart of this community.
We can react with pity and feel sorry for these people who’ve lost their community. We can feel righteous indignation at the evil done by these small men who are so threatened by people attempting to bring peace and justice.
We can also react by helping this community which has been vandalized and wounded.
There is a donation site set up here: https://connect.clickandpledge.com/Organization/umojapeacecenter/campaign/rebuildAfrictownnUPC
I encourage you to give what you can. There is literally no amount too small to give, and all proceeds go to the Umoja Peace Center Fund and the Africatown Center.
Use this time of Easter to celebrate restoration, resurrection, and the victory of life over death.