Daily Press

It seems a little unnatural when Easter comes so early in the year. This most sacred of Christian observances is so closely tied to the symbols of spring that it just doesn't seem right to celebrate it amid touches of winter. A few days ago there were snowflakes in the air while people were hoping for flowers. But then, a lot about Easter seems unnatural.

As Biblical stories remind us, situations in people's lives thougsands of years ago are similar to occurrences today. Events that were hard to believe back then are just as difficult for us to accept. The story of Christianity is, in fact, the story of every person's life and how that life unfolds.

The week leading up to this Easter morning celebration is full of the joys and heartbreaks of human existeence. The perplexities of life, so neatly encapsulated in this season, leave us with perturing questions:

Why do we often experience excruciating pain before inexplicable joy, as in childbirth? Is such suffering really necessary?

Why is it that people of meager means sometimes achieve phenomenal success, while those of social and economic advantage end up miserably mediocre?

Why do people praise us one moment and criticize us the next?

Why does the good guy often finish last, while the crook strides ahead?

Why do friends betray friends? For greed, for fear?

Why do government officials often yield to irrational public outcry, rather than make wise and just decisions?

And, probably the most troubling question of all: Why does death have to be a part of life? Why does a child expire suddenly in its crib, while an aging victim of dementia lingers on? Why does the drunken driver stagger away unscarred from an accident, while the innocent driver of the other car perishes?

Much happens in life without apparent reason or justification. There are countless events, exchanges and thoughts that seem so unnatural. Easter sort of pulls together all of life's unexpected and unexplainable happenings. In the midst of this doubt and uncertainty, life goes on.

A lot happens in our world that is simply beyond the theories of psychologists, beyond the decrees of lawmakers and beyond the healing powers of physicians. That may seem unnatural, maybe even unacceptable to many, but that's the way it is. Life, as mirrored in Easter, often can not be explained; it can only be accepted.

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