The Crucifixion before the Resurrection

19 Apr The Crucifixion before the Resurrection

Today is Good Friday. But when you really think about it…what “good” is there in Good Friday?  This is the day that Christians remember Christ’s crucifixion and death. I don’t know about you, but when we gather at mass and say, “Crucify Him, Crucify Him,” it just gives me chills and a pit in my stomach that I am part of the crowd responsible for Jesus’ death. We all are.  We are all sinners.

As we reflect on this Lenten journey and the awaiting of resurrection at Easter, we must remember that our actions and those of the disciples were inevitable. God knew there was sin and negativity in the world. But we must also remember that He sent His only Son to die for our sins, so that they may be washed away and our lives renewed. In the crucifixion and resurrection we are given hope to seek new opportunities that overcome the past and refocus on an optimistic future.

I see similarities with this scenario in many of the communities, businesses and organizations we work with and talk to today.  There are many who struggle and have been struggling for years with negativity and pessimism, and their outlook appears to be bleak.  People have lost hope, energy and steam to even see the possibilities that their communities can be rejuvenated.

The communities who have experienced success, though, have overcome those attitudes with passion, planning and purpose. They have identified a few key leaders who are unrelenting in their drive to achieve results. They have rallied the troops and created a community vision for the future of their town or business. Organizations break down the silos and traditional mindsets to approach projects with a unified plan that identifies roles for each individual, organization, or department and work together to make progress happen.

Just like the crucifixion, though, we must let the sins of the past die. We must squash negativity, overcome pessimism and provide a positive vision that embraces progress to become new again.

Last night our family watched a movie with the kids called, “Evan Almighty.” If you haven’t seen it, it’s an oldie but goodie!  In it, Morgan Freeman, aka “God,” shared, “You learn to change the world, one random act of kindness at a time.” So, in this Easter season let us remember that we don’t necessarily have to create HUGE plans and change the world alone.  But rather, may we each be renewed and consider what simple acts of kindness we can perform to change our communities, our state, and our world for the better.

So this Good Friday, let those negative attitudes die with Christ’s death and with the resurrection and Easter season, may we all rise up with renewed hope and optimism that embraces teamwork and transforms our world. Emerge from the comfort of your shell with passion, planning and purpose. Happy Easter everyone!