What Easter means to me

Holy Week, the last week of Lent leading up to Easter Sunday and most sacred time in the Christian calendar, begins on 24 March. As we approach Easter, Meya Phiri, a solicitor and member of our Equality and Diversity sub-committee, reflects on what it means to her.

What does Easter mean to me, in a world where even the concept of having a belief system can be faced with ridicule and derision? The mere prospect of Christianity is unpopular in today’s world, but Easter is not just for me, it’s for everyone, so I’ll share my experience and link the wider implications of this very important Christian holiday with a twist of science and the modern world thrown in.

You’ve heard Jesus was crucified and rose again. In my interpretation of Easter, I see this from a legal mind as one of the most famous miscarriages of justice to plague humanity. It casts a shadow over what is generally seen as a joyous celebration.

In the past, during this time my late mother and I would re-watch Mel Gibson’s Passion, which in its graphic interpretation reveals the flaws still current in the legal system today. These flaws include bad witnesses, wrongful accusations, and biased judgments. This incident serves as a stark reminder for the need to reassess and reform legal frameworks to prevent such injustices from happening again.

Whether you believe in a son of God or not, there is no denying that a known innocent man was crucified by a politically motived leader together with the power of mob mentality.

As a practising Christian, the Easter egg represents the rebirth of Jesus and the empty tomb symbolises his descent into hell and then to paradise. However, scientifically, the Easter story could be reframed as a symbolic representation of genetic continuity and the perpetuation of life.

The symbolic egg, traditionally associated with fertility and rebirth, could also be interpreted as a metaphor for the transmission of genetic material from one generation to the next. The egg, as a repository of genetic information, embodies the essence of biological continuity and the perpetuation of the species.

Now, we add a splash of paganism... the Easter story reflects the cultural evolution of human societies. The fusion of diverse cultural elements, such as the incorporation of pagan symbols into religious narratives, exemplifies the adaptive nature of human cultures over time. Easter, in this context, becomes a mosaic of cultural practices and beliefs, illustrating the dynamic interplay between different facets of human civilisation.

But how can I reconcile this within my belief system?

I am a firm believer in science and I enjoy learning about the fluidity of time and multiple dimensions. For me, the Easter narrative encapsulates the profound idea of change and renewal. The symbolic resurrection, when viewed through the lens of quantum dynamics, embodies a paradigm shift, a transition from one state to another.

Easter is just not the end of Lent; for me it’s a rebirth of the year. I get to emerge and leave any baggage I’ve traipsed into the new year, with the help of God empowering me to a level that my mere human body and mind cannot.

Does this make me weak? On the contrary, my faith gives me strength. I do not need to convert you or question your beliefs. I just need you to understand that I am having my own human experience and to respect that.

So how can Easter help everyone?

In my experience, Easter serves as a unifying force, bringing people together through shared traditions and celebrations. I would always travel to Bristol to see my parents and now with my son, I intend to carry on this traditional celebration.

In a world of screens and declining emotional intelligence, we have to grasp onto the little things that keep us human and save our humanity. Families and communities gathering for religious observances fosters a sense of collective spirituality. Secular festivities, such as Easter egg hunts and communal meals, provide inclusive activities that transcend religious boundaries, encouraging people of diverse backgrounds to join in the joy of the season.

This shared cultural experience fosters connections, promotes a sense of community, and reinforces the importance of togetherness during this festive time. As such, I’m not offended by other people sharing my religious holiday, I’m more offended by people disrespecting each other.

I have tried it both ways, as a non-believer and a believer, and the results speak for themselves. This is why I chose to be part of something bigger, because I know it makes me better.