Today is Holy Thurday, the beginning of the three holy days proceeding Easter Sunday. They would be: Holy Thurday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday. In a nutshell, Holy Thursday is the Last Supper, Good Friday is the crucifixion, Holy Saturday is the burial, and Easter Sunday is when Jesus rises.
For more info visit Wikipedia
BTW Passover is still going on as well.
HAPPY EASTER
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For me, this week is the most convicting, mournful, and jubilant week of the entire year.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminders! :)
ReplyDeletebeautiful! i'm muslim but my mum was catholic so we followed these traditions. my engagement anniversary is even on easter sunday and my wedding anniversary was on the day after Eid al udha...(since udha day is too busy)
ReplyDeleteCheers and thanks for informing the bunchs of readers!
Juju
It is the most sad yet happy occasions I have ever been a part of. Glad it can help others to be reminded :)
ReplyDeleteEaster was always my favorite holiday. Last Easter was already hard because although I hadn't yet converted, my doubts about Christianity were already there and strong enough for me to disagree with at least half of the movie shown at Good Friday services.
ReplyDeleteThis Easter is even harder, because the beauty is lost if I no longer believe in the crucifixion. AND if I do choose to believe in the actual act of the crucifixion, the "meaning" of it (lamb of God, dying for the sins of the world, etc.) are all lost regardless and cannot coincide with Islam, at least in my mind.
Easter was the holiest time of the year for me. As a Christian I could not understand why Christmas was a "bigger" celebration when THIS (easter) is what it really all came down to.
I'm still participating in all of the "fun" parts of Easter. Coloring eggs, hunting eggs, playing baseball with eggs (my husband thinks this is disrespectful/wasting food but I enjoy it too much to be convicted just yet). I will also be attending Easter services with my family on Sunday morning, going to my grandparents to celebrate, etc. The spirit of it all is -gone- though. Just like Christmas it's become "just another family get together." And while I'm buying my son a basket, or coloring eggs, I'm feeling guilty at the same time for taking part in a celebration of something I don't even believe in.
I either need to separate myself more from Easter, or find a new way to make it meaningful. Perhaps if I focused on Jesus' ascension into Heaven (found in both faith traditions), the promise of his return, and of course, the new life that comes with the arrival of spring, then perhaps I can take part in my cultural traditions without contradicting my new faith.
Any suggestions? I liked the ideas you shared once about incorporating some of your traditions into Muslim holidays. (Ramadan calendar similar to advent calendar, etc.)
Nikki: The way I think of it is this: I believe in the lesser Islamic opinion that the crucifixion did happen (There is a lecture by nakshawani under lectures in my blog that talks about the 4 main opinions on the crucifixion. None contradict the Qur'an). For me, Jesus died so he could bring his message to the people. Without his message we would not have the bridge that goes between the first and the last. So it is still ok to mourn the pain he went through since he still died it for us, just not to absolve our sins. Jesus knew something horrible would happen to him but he continued his message anyway. Then, he visited the apostles and rose Alhumdillillah! And that is how Jesus still lives. They were unsuccessful in truly killing him and his message. Now he waits in heaven, living among his believers. Waiting for the day of judgement.
ReplyDeleteDoes that help? I don't really know how to incorporate these traditions like the eggs and stuff. I would just do them lol. Say its about the new beginning of spring? Thats where the eggs came from in the first place. You could also take time out on that day to sit on your prayer rug and say a special prayer to God thanking Jesus for all he has done. I plan to do this as well.
I just don't understand the notion of believing in the crucifixion and redemption, etc. and... then not believing in it anymore. I have been a Christian for 30 years and it has become more and more obvious, not less and less obvious, as I have continued to interact with people who have different beliefs from mine.
ReplyDeleteI have used those interactions as an occasion to strip my faith, as far as I can tell, of nearly every cultural trapping imaginable. Except perhaps the idea that it's just fine to live one's life as a mix of different cultures. That is very American and is one of the things I value about American culture which I intend to hold onto, not because it's American, but because it's intrinsically valuable and holds up under the scrutiny of other cultures with which I have had to do.
On the other hand, my experience with an aggressive form of cancer some years ago, the treatments that I underwent, have very much altered my view of suffering and death. I looked and felt like the picture of health, but my life was very much in danger. I underwent an operation considered so painful that nearly everyone uses morphine afterward. I used nothing and was able to manage any physical sensations such that I wouldn't even really call them 'pain'. A week later, I was dancing at someone's wedding reception.
But I digress. The point here is that while it is evident that Jesus was afraid beforehand, I can make an educated guess on the basis of my personal experience that once he was on the cross, his experience of it was very different from what people usually think it was. And just as I accepted my own experiences, I accept the necessity of Jesus' experiences and do not get very emotional about them.
This is very different from the circles I have traveled in in recent years, where people go on about Jesus' 'bitter suffering' and give themselves a guilt trip about their sins' having indirectly caused that 'suffering'. Some churches even use that guilt as a way of controlling those under their supposed authority.
The thing that I find most moving is simply that Jesus died voluntarily. He chose to do it because he was convinced that it was necessary for our salvation - to provide that 'ransom for many' that the Law demanded as fulfillment of the requirements of the sacrificial system. He knew pretty much from the beginning what he had come here to do and accepted his lot in life.
The Torah has always taught that a sacrifice for sin is necessary, the Old Testament prophets predicted hundreds of years in advance nearly every detail of the Messiah's ministry - including that he would provide redemption via his death, and that he would rise again. And the New Testament shows that Jesus fulfilled those predictions. There are predictions relating to the end times which have not been fulfilled yet, presumably because the end times haven't come yet. So I remain convinced about the Bible - that it has not changed materially over time and that it is true.
And it is obvious from the teachings of Jesus presented in the New Testament that the man had a very deep knowledge of Torah - apparently from a very young age. That is another thing I love about Jesus - his manner of interpreting the Law. And then proceeding to fulfill it.
I also view the resurrection as 'proof in the pudding' that Jesus is who the Bible claims him to be, that his sacrifice for our sins was accepted. The Bible in fact teaches that if he didn't rise from the dead, then the Christian's faith is in vain. But since he did, the Christian has a sure foundation for his or her faith :)
Nikki: Here is the lecture
ReplyDeletehttp://inkblotsblueabayas.blogspot.com/2010/01/amar-nakshawani-crucifixion-of-christ.html
Caraboska: Well, a lot of people stop believing in it because they think they have to. They think, if they believe in the crucifixion, they are going against the Qur'an. This is not so. They are merely going against the popular interpretation of 1 verse. If you look at the Qur'an as a whole though you find that 1 verse to be less obvious. Its the idea of taking the literal over the symbolic. Most take the literal.
ReplyDeleteSome do find that muslims prove to them the crucifixion didn't happen. They site Barnabas. Its plausible sure, but doesn't really match up with historical context. And I feel that if an entire religion was based heavily on the crucifixion it at least happened. Just because you believe in the crucifixion doesn't mean you need to believe that Jesus' death is the only way to heaven and the trinity. Youdon't need to believe that at all for it to be meaningful. Even though many will disagree with me.
LK, I am well aware that the Qur'an can be interpreted in such a way that Jesus died and then rose again. That is how I personally understand it. But try telling that to an orthodox Muslim :)
ReplyDeleteI am also aware that the Qur'an talks about no one bearing another's burden or interceding with God on someone's behalf - except the one whom God authorizes to do so. And I have read about people who have concluded that Jesus is that authorized intercessor. I absolutely do believe in that.
Sure, one doesn't have to believe in the other stuff to believe in the crucifixion. I mean, that would be backwards logic. Christians do make the logical proposition that the resurrection is evidence of those things. But that does not necessarily mean that those things are evidence of the resurrection.
I also don't understand why people don't 'get' the idea of redemption through Jesus' death, especially if they believe in the crucifixion and the resurrection. I mean, it makes perfectly good sense from the sacrificial system, from what both the Old and New Testaments have to say about the Messiah (no, he is not 'just a prophet' :) ).
LK - I completely agree with everything you said up there ^^ Many people, especially converts, fail to recognise that Islam is essentially an extension of Christianity and Judaism, it's not a separate entity. Muhammad didn't see it as a whole different religion, he saw himself as continuing the message that the Prophets brought before him. So I think that most people feel the need to not believe in especially Jesus' death and resurrection, because they think they shouldn't.
ReplyDeleteEllen, How can Islam be an extension of Judaism and Christianity, when both of these religions teach that there is a need for the shedding of blood for the remission of sins? This, incidentally, is often the trigger for Orthodox Jews who come to accept Jesus as their Messiah and ultimate sacrifice - they start asking 'Where's the blood, since we don't have the Temple in our time?' This concept is absent from Islam, and it is not just because the ultimate sacrifice has already been offered, either, because the life, death and resurrection of Jesus are discussed in the Qur'an, and nothing is said about it there, and furthermore there are verses elsewhere in the Qur'an that negate the idea of 'substitutionary atonement'.
ReplyDeleteCaraboska - The extension is to do with the same line of Prophets who all brought the same message: worship the one God. To me personally that's the most important part anyway :)
ReplyDeleteEllen, Of course worshiping the one God and only that God is the most important. I wish that everyone understood just how important this notion of redemption is. The alternative is people trying to earn (if only 1%) of their salvation. Christians view the idea that people can in any way materially contribute to their salvation as inconsistent with monotheism, because it places our deeds - and by extension ourselves - in a place that should only be occupied by God. In other words, they view all religions that do not have this concept in place as not being truly monotheistic. Islam (at least in its traditional interpretation) unfortunately numbers among these religions. What kind of continuity is that?
ReplyDelete"Christians view the idea that people can in any way materially contribute to their salvation as inconsistent with monotheism, because it places our deeds - and by extension ourselves - in a place that should only be occupied by God"
ReplyDelete- I have never heard that at all, sis, nor have I ever practiced that throughout my entire time as a Christian.
I would be interested to know what is not monotheistic about trying to please the one God? Because that's what doing good deeds is about.
If it is really only to please God and for *no* other reason, then I agree with you.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, for some people - for example, probably most if not all adherents of Roman Catholicism and Islam - doing good deeds means a lot more than that. Sure, these people believe God's grace is necessary. But the fact remains that they believe that they must also earn their way to heaven.
From a Biblical standpoint, the problem is that God and God alone is the one who has revealed, saved and proclaimed - apart from Him there is no other savior. And this is my point: We cannot earn our way to heaven. We cannot save ourselves. It has to be 100% God's grace.
But these people think it's, say, 99% God's grace and 1% their own works. Or whatever. And in the measure that they believe their own works materially contribute to their salvation - in the measure that they are doing these works for that reason, and not *only* to please God - in that measure they are trying to be their own savior.
They are thereby placing their own works in a position that should be occupied only by God. Placing anything in a position that should rightfully only be occupied by God is idolatry. Idolatry is by definition a non-monotheistic act.
So, sure, to remain monotheistic, we do good works to please God. Absolutely. And we also at the same time make sure to acknowledge that these works in no way contribute to our salvation - that God and God alone is the Savior.
You young women are a very confused bunch,
ReplyDeleteYou can not pick and choose and make your own religion.
None of you are real muslims, go and study the Quran instead of looking for obscur sects that lets you pick and choose.
Sick to read the deformation of Islam, why can't your husbands even guide you properly,or don't they know about your distortion of Islam!!!!
Your in- laws are in for a surprise....
I can't even keep up with this convo so I'm not even going to LOL.
ReplyDeleteAnon: You are just uncalled for. And not everyone here is muslim (most are not including myself) or married for that matter.
Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteMay the Lord bless you and keep you
May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you
May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
Ameen.
PS I am middle-aged and have been so for at least 10 years and counting insha'Allah, have been single since the day I was born, and am a Christian Biblist through and through.
ReplyDeleteLOL Anon got one thing right - none of us ARE real Muslims ;)
ReplyDeleteEllen, Wait a sec - aside from Anon., I see two Muslims among those who have commented on this post.
ReplyDeleteI think what Ellen means is the people Anon is complaining about are not muslims :)
ReplyDeleteLol yes, you're correct LK ;)
ReplyDeleteBut I think Anon was trying to claim that none of us are Muslims - including those two people.
ReplyDeletewell then anon is incorrect lol
ReplyDeleteHeheheheh All depends on your thought system, my dear ;) But that would be pretty funny - for a bunch of non-Muslim ladies to get into a discussion about what it means to be a 'real Muslim' - in the comment section of a post on Easter, of all things...
ReplyDelete...I think we are already doing that LOL
ReplyDeleteLOL One thing is certain - we would come to very different conclusions from those considered obligatory in some quarters. And no doubt someone would tell us that the matter is not open to discussion because... And we would reply that no mere human being can have a monopoly on truth or even on understanding of words that have been revealed, because words cannot encompass the sum total of divine reality, which is by definition infinite... Not to discount the seriousness of the matter, but we have to approach the matter with a certain reverence that I think is, in a contrary sort of way, lacking among those who think that they have that kind of a monopoly. It is a very fine line, because the liberals also use this kind of thinking to justify all sorts of ideas which clearly contradict the revealed word.
ReplyDelete