I cannot fault the earth that gave place for the tree to root, nor the rain and sun that provided it life. And yet there grew the tree.
I won’t place blame on the axe that fell it, nor the man that wielded it and brought it to crash on the life giving ground.
I cannot fault the carpenter that gave it form and function, or the blacksmith that forged the spikes. I can’t blame the hammer that drove them. A hammer can both build and be used to break…or in the case of assembling a particular cross; both.
I cannot blame the thorny bush, or the soul who cut the branch that formed a crown.
I cannot fault the sun that rose and shone that day, or the path he walked while those that gathered stood idle.
I cannot blame the day that was passing during which he died, or the fabric his perished being was wrapped in.
I won’t place blame on the darkness in which he was laid to rest, or the strength of the men who placed a boulder to seal the implacable tomb.
But I can be thankful for the dawn, for the deliverance and evident rebirth. I will continue to praise the miracle and reunion when the third sunrise came to pass.
I can be forgiving of those who put timber and tools to use, who brought an end to one life as we know it…and in turn, eternal life to being. It seems that even misguided evil can manifest mystery and miracle.
In all of my life, I have been taught sacrifice on so many levels, but I think I finally understand how love makes it worthwhile, hope makes it possible, and faith–faith makes it real.
I cannot see the wind, but I never question that it rustles the leaves and lifts the desert. I cannot touch the sunshine, yet it brings me sight and accompanies me through shadow and warmth. I cannot understand why the stream fills with salmon that return to spawn and die, without ever knowing if the effort would turn to fry and perpetuate the life cycle. And yet they leave the sea and head home nonetheless.
I no longer feel my mother’s hand upon mine, and yet she never ceases to touch me. And I won’t stop believing that she waits for me and others where she is now.
All I need is forgiveness, acceptance, patience, faith, and most of all love…to know that come morning, the stone will have moved, and reunion will be at hand.
And sure as the sun will rise at Sunday’s dawn…so too will have the Son.
Keep the faith and be good to each other. I bid Happy Easter to one and all.
Matthew Lyle Landsman
Early Easter 2012
Matthew Lyle Landsman 