Easter Reflection: Unity with God and Man

Amid the intensifying hype of Presidential hopefuls and the depressing blight of economic recession, Easter celebrates the risen Lord that offers the best and brightest hope of all mankind.

The racial divide much discussed recently focuses on the Black and White and how their votes will shape the outcome of this November's general election. Barack Obama, half black and half white, promises to unite the country. That is certainly a noble goal worth our clapping at and clamoring for. But can he do it? That is the question to be answered.

When Christ came, his first and foremost goal was to reconcile mankind to God, and in so doing, reconcile mankind with each other as well. If we judge the present division among all peoples, especially within Christendom, one may conclude that even Christ has yet to fulfill that noble goal. So has Christ failed?

Nay!

In one of the parables about the Kingdom of God, Christ clearly illustrated that wheat and tare would grow together until the day of harvest, when the tares will be bundled for burning and wheat gathered for keeping. It appears then that division and conflict between good and evil will be inevitable at the present age. Even within those who profess the name of Christ, Christ sternly warned that not everyone who acknowledges his name would enter the Kingdom of God, save those who do the will of God.

In the end, while every nation, every people, and every language will be fully represented in the Kingdom of God, the ultimate United Nation, not every individual will be united there. Those who heed to the call of unity with God will also live in heavenly unity with each other. Those who reject the call of unity with God will live in another kind of reality apart from God.

Thus, even God does not eventually unite everyone in one camp. A choice of life and death is given. Then what does it mean to unite Black and White, and, may I add, Hispanics and Asians? It seems to me that racial unity is loosely maintained on the ground of mutual respect for their not easily reconcilable differences. Unity that is totally blind to diversity (be it color and creed and whatever else) is not realistically attainable. Unity despite diversity is seductively inviting. A possible Presidency is being built on that promised hope.

In a racially segregated society, separation from fellow citizens is socially painful. In a depressed economy, separation from job and wealth is financially painful. In the practice of faith, dying to the old self that is at war with the new self is spiritually painful. In the twilight hour of one's life, imminent separation from loved ones and breath of life is emotionally painful. In the age to come, separation from God the life giver is eternally painful.

Life is full of painful experiences and choices. The way of suffering (Via Dolorosa) on Good Friday also leads the way to glory on the Easter Morning. Those of us who are still breathing live before the sunset of Friday. Those who have died rest in the quietness of Saturday. All will wake up on a future Easter Morning, some to eternal life, others to eternal death.