T. 20. I. 2 – 4. Jesus: “You stand beside your brother, thorns in one hand and lilies in the other, perhaps uncertain which to give. Join now with me and toss away the thorns, offering only the lilies to your brother.
This Easter, I would have the gift of your forgiveness offered to me, that I may return it to you! We cannot be united as one in thoughts of crucifixion and in death. Nor can the resurrection be complete till your forgiveness rests upon the whole of Christ, along with mine. A week is short, and yet this holy week serves as the symbol of the entire journey the Son of God has undertaken! He started with the sign of victory, and with the promise of the resurrection already given him!
Let him not wander into the temptation of crucifixion, and delay him there! Help him to go in peace beyond it, with the light of his own innocence lighting his way to his redemption and release. Hold him not back with thorns and nails when his redemption is so near. But let the whiteness of your shining gift of lilies speed him on his way to resurrection!
Easter is not the celebration of the ‘cost of sin,’ but of the end of sin’s rule over you! If you see glimpses of the face of Christ behind the veil, then looking between the snow white petals of the lilies you have received and given as your gift, you will behold your brother’s face and recognize him for what he really is.
I was a stranger and you took me in, not knowing who I was. Yet for your gift of lilies you will know! In your forgiveness of this stranger, alien to you and yet your ancient Friend, lies his release and your redemption with him.
The time of Easter is a time of joy, and not of mourning. Look on your risen Friend, and celebrate his holiness along with me. For Easter is the time of your salvation, along with mine!”