Best Wishes For A Joyous Holiday Season

The springtime holidays for Jews and Catholics - Easter and Passover - occur simultaneously this year. Despite being a quirk of the Hebrew and Gregorian calendars, these celebrations bring to mind the principal themes of renewal and hope.

The traditional values Jews place on celebrating the departure of their ancestors from Egypt after centuries of slavery and the solemn commemoration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ by Catholics are indicative of mankind's search for the meaning of life.

Passover began at sundown, April 2. At this time, Jews all around the world sat down and observed the First Seder when their ancestors were enslaved in Egypt. Passover is the symbol of eternal freedom, as well as signifying the ceaseless battle for human dignity and individuality. It marked the end of man's first struggle against slavery, but, sadly, it is not humanity's victory from enslavement. It should, nevertheless, serve as an inspiration for modern civilization's conflict for civil rights and personal liberties.

Easter Sunday, April 8, marks the end of Holy Week, which commenced on Palm Sunday (April 1) and memorializes when Christ rode into Jerusalem and people honored Him as He passed by scattering palms in His path. The Week continues today, Holy Thursday, the remembrance of the Last Supper - a Seder - and tomorrow, Good Friday, which recalls the sadness and suffering when He was crucified by Roman soldiers. Easter marks His glorious Resurrection and embodies the hope for all because He died for our sins.

This year, in particular, as we observe the holidays with family and friends, we must offer words of prayer to the courageous American servicemen overseas. Regardless of where you stand on the war in Iraq, we all wish for their safe return and that the results of this conflict brings newfound, long lasting freedom for the Iraqi people, plus a renewed course for international peace and cooperation.

Thousands of years have passed since these two historically religious events occurred, yet humanity still covets lasting peace and harmony. Dedicating ourselves and teaching our children to respect others and apply the basic principles of religion in our daily lives can only attain this.

The staff of the Canarsie Courier wishes a healthy, happy, safe and blessed Passover and Easter to readers, advertisers, the community and American troops in the Middle East.

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