It's my third Easter away from home.
Away from Easter egg hunts, cadbury cream eggs, jelly beans, colored easter eggs and the easter bunny.
Away from sunrise services, last suppers and prayer vigils for Good Friday.
"Wait, WHAT? I get being away from the secular easter traditions.....but church events? Rachel, aren't you a missionary?"
This too was difficult for me to swallow when I moved to the Dominican Republic.
You see, in some ways I am incredibly traditional. I grew up dyeing easter eggs with my mom. We made cut out cookies in the shapes of bunnies, crosses and flowers. The Easter bunny always visited our house. AND on Easter Sunday we always went to sunrise service and came together as a family at my Aunt Patty's house in Connecticut. In fact, my family will continue this tradition tomorrow.
And, for us in the DR this weekend will continue as any other.
Why the stark contrast?
In the Dominican, there is a drastic separation between Catholics and Evangelicals. In this country, many catholics have been absorbed in idolatry and the virgin Mary to an extreme that places them ahead of Christ. Evangelicals have broken away from this and shunned any tradition that may give the appearance of being ritualistic.
This means, we do not regularly have communion at my church. We do not have infant baptisms. We do not sing hymns. We do not recite prayers. And our church services are not regimented.
I come from a Reformed church in the states that very much incorporates all of the above into our worship services. So where does that find me this Easter?
I love Easter. I love the tradition and customs. I love praising our risen Lord with the sunrise. I love munching on peanut butter eggs and helping with easter egg hunts for kids.
And to be missing out on that, leaves me un chin vacia.
But, this year, instead of reflecting on what I'm not DOING with my family in the states. And how different things are here, I'm going to reflect on what these days REPRESENT.
My community here, Dominicans and Americans, love the Lord. And yes we know it's easter. And yes we wish each other Feliz Pascua. But the truth is we should be reflecting on the Risen Lord everyday. In all things.
He came and rose FOR US. Not just tomorrow. But everyday.
And that is the point the Evangelical churches are making here. Not that it's sinful to celebrate the Risen Lord. But, that everyday Christ has died for us!
So yes. Easter looks different in the Dominican. Catholics take Semana Santa and turn it into a ritualistic party. Atheists/Agnostics drink and party. And Evangelicals spend time with loved ones but reflect on each day as Easter.
So, my American community will find middle ground. We will begin tomorrow with a small Easter service at the river followed by breakfast. But then, our day will continue as normal.
Living in His Glory. And praising Him for all He has done. Todo el Tiempo!
I pray we all can enjoy this weekend with our family and friends, but remember as we try to do here, that Easter is not just one day a year. Through Him, everyday we are cleansed and renewed!
