Two Easter Proclamations

A contrast of two Easter proclamations.

In one proclamation, the President of the US proclaims on his own social media platform a desire to cause destruction to civilian targets in Iran, which would be a war crime if conducted, and offer an intentional insult to Islam, which one can only conclude is designed to provoke a violent response in order to be justified in his desire for destruction. It is more of projection of what is going on inside of himself more than anything else.

The other proclamation comes from Mary Magdalene, in John 20, on Resurrection Sunday when she is told by Jesus to go and proclaim the good news of the resurrection to the disciples. She goes and tells them “I have seen the Lord.” It is a simple message that is summed up this way — Death doesn’t get the final say.

One proclamation threatening death and destruction of enemies. The other proclamation declaring that death is defeated.

One proclamation is the echo of every empire that has ever existed. The other proclamation is the message that has outlasted every empire that ever existed.

One proclamation carries a message that declares that people are disposable. The other proclamation is a message delivered first to the disposable ones of society because it is good news that declares that all people have value.

One proclamation shouts its sickness of the need for control and imposing a way on others. The other proclamation sets people free.

Two proclamations on Easter. Seems like a pretty easy choice on which proclamation to listen to and follow. Because you can’t follow both — they are diametrically opposed to each other.