Dear Editor,
Easter in Guyana is the season for Christian religious observances, kite flying, cross buns, Easter eggs, and the Easter bunny. Years ago it was associated with the Easter hat parade. In Japan, Korea and China it is the season of the Apple Blossom.
Last year’s Easter was most un-Easter-like for many Guyanese. Very few kites dotted the skies and family picnics became a rarity. And politicians were deprived of the opportunity to distribute kites to eager-eyed youngsters.
And notwithstanding the persistence of the pandemic, reports are that kite sales are on the upswing when compared to last year, a clear indication that Guyanese like the rest of humanity are restless and are desirous of returning to do what they like doing especially when it comes to observing those events that are traditional.
This time around, the politicians are busily sharing out kites around the country.
Easter is a completely different season. It is a season characterized by a more sombre and retrospective environment for believers.
Perhaps because the season is associated with the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.
One of the greatest mysteries of the resurrection is the question: who rolled away the stone?
Was it ‘The young man who greeted the women who, entering the tomb saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side’( Mark 16:5). Or, ‘The two men who stood by their side in shining garments’ (Luke 24:4). Or ‘The one angel of the Lord who descended from Heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it.’ (Mathew 28:2) Or ‘The two angels in white sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and the other at the feet.’ (John 20:12)?
These apparent contradictions notwithstanding, the more fundamental question however is, the relevance of the stone being rolled away in a Guyanese context having regard to our own social and economic challenges and the search for solutions to them.
Who will roll away that stone by what means and when? That is the question.
Yours faithfully,
Clement J. Rohee
