http://leatherpotato.com/2024/03/29/good-friday/
http://leatherpotato.com/2024/03/30/in-stillness-earth-awaits-the-resurrection/

Following up from the two earlier articles. Not sure if I can call these essays, including this one which is about to be told, unfold… however you may want to read them.

When I started with the Good Friday article, I never planned to have the next one about the waiting period between the time of crucifixion and his resurrection. It just came to my mind while I was sitting in church. I started penning down my thoughts and then work on it, since I had my tools of the trade: my Samsung Fold 5; with me.

And now I am writing about “HE HAS RISEN”. At mass that Saturday evening (where I wrote IN STILLNESS, EARTH AWAITS THE RESURRECTION while waiting for mass to begin); we heard the readings from the Old and New Testaments, we held lighted candles to symbolize new life (and hope), we had the Litany of Saints, the sprinkling / blessing of Holy water…it was a “High Mass” (a term rarely used in church today). It was everything an Easter vigil mass should be. We were reaffirmed that this God who became man, Jesus; had died for us on Good Friday and now is risen.

Going back to over 2,000 years ago, when the large stone or boulder covering the entrance to where Jesus’ body was buried. “He is no longer here. He has risen, Alleluia”, said the angel.

I cannot help but feel the relief these people had when they heard that statement. They would now feel that all they went through was not in vain, that it is all true. Again, at that time, computers, google and other modern day technology was not available. They had to go by gut instinct, by faith and believe that it was true. Many who were fence-sitters or wait-and-see believers; now believed. If I was there at that time, I would have had more questions to ask. I would definitely have believed, but what’s next? It sure would have been quite the experience: seeing first hand the direct connection between heaven and earth.

My earliest memories of Easter was maybe when I was around 5 or 6 years old. It probably was Easter Sunday morning. We, meaning the Atkinsons; would have gathered at my grandparents’ home in Section 8, Petaling Jaya (it would have been around 1964). The Atkinsons, would have been dad, his siblings and families. I remember receiving a big Easter egg, made of chocolate. It was wrapped in colourful wrapping. I think if I remember correctly, I asked myself, “What am I going to do with a big egg?”, not knowing that it was made of chocolate.

I think when it came to our (as parents) turn, we gave our daughter, Laura; a big Easter egg and a Tamagotchi Easter (not too sure if it was an Easter egg) egg. Tamagotchi never included a warning that parents would soon take over the looking after and maintenance of these things, as children soon got tired of these electronic, noisy pets. End story is that Laura ended up having three of these devices. She also had Easter chocolate eggs for some years to come.

With the faith of the people who were with Jesus Christ during the time of His crucifixion right through the time HE HAD RISEN and AFTER; we the Atkinsons, wish all our family and friends around the world: HAPPY EASTER!

HE IS RISEN, ALLELUIA!