Yesterday in the U.S. we observed the usual odd mixture of Easter and the pagan celebration of spring, complete with plastic eggs made in China, chocolate rabbits, and tables loaded down with the remains of chickens, pigs, and lambs, etc..

Easter befuddles me every year. It is disconnected in so many ways, it resembles the Mad Hatter's Tea Party in Alice in Wonderland. Truly this is a "humpty dumpty" egg that doesn't seem as if it could be put back together again.

The celebration is about the resurrection of Jesus whose body was crucified as the sacrificial lamb in part to end animal sacrifice. The pagan element that runs through the events of the day celebrates new life, the resurrection of plants and trees and new babies after a long winter.

What we see, however, in advertisements, storefronts, and people's homes are baby chicks stolen from their mothers, dyed green and blue and pink with toxic dyes, and destined for a short life of suffering. Egg decorating kits adorned with images of bunnies and chicks fly off the shelves along with millions of eggs. Hidden from view are the tortured mother hens who laid those eggs in obscenely filthy, crowded cages, never to see their babies.

The sacrifice of animals at Easter time greatly exceeds what would have taken place in Jesus' time. During this week, let us remember the pigs, lambs, chickens and other animals who died in the name of "celebrating new life."

Let us remember the chickens whose eggs were taken from them for decorations while they struggled to endure their tortured life. Let us pray also for the countless bunnies and chicks given to children on Easter day, for their future is very uncertain.

Above all, let's join together, heart to heart, spirit to spirit, as one--to send Awakening Love to all people. May they reconnect to all living beings, to Life itself longing to live, and to the power we all have to end suffering and make it possible for all beings to celebrate new life.

May all beings, including all people, be happy and free.

With Love, peace, and gratitude from Judy

* * * * * * * * *
And please watch this excellent short video that makes the powerful connection between the great compassion Jesus had for animals -- and the fact that this compassion for animals is essentially what infuriated the power structure and led to his crucifixion -- and of course to Easter as well. Fascinating!!

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQ-h0hh5wxA

With love from Will