Categories: uncategorized
Date: 07 April 2009 08:37:45
So we've entered Holy Week, a time of major significance for those of faith. In the coming days we will be reminded again of the event which is central to our faith, Jesus trip to the cross and subsequent ressurection. It's a time , like Christmas, when we know that many people will be joining with us in doing something different but not recognising the siginificance. Sometimes it can be difficult for those of us who are so used to doing Easter from a faith perspective to understand why everybody else bothers. This post on Sam's blog provides an interesting insight into how todays secular young adults see it.
His central argument is that everybody knows that there has been a commercialisation of key religious holidays which have robbed them of their siginificance yet none of us is about to start uncelebrating. What are being given are new meanings for them, which go beyond capitalism. He interestingly argues that these new meanings - like being a time when family comes together - mean these festivals are managing to retain their dignity.
Whilst I am saddened that this young man couldn't identify the religious significance and wish the church could really find a way to engage with these young people and effectively engage with them regarding what Easter is all about I am still encouraged by this post. Whilst young people are refusing to let Hallmark et al kill the festival there is still hope. If they are looking for a meaning and significance to these times of celebration there is still something there to be connected with. It also illustrates how our young people are not the shallow consumers which we are sometimes led to believe.