Chaplain's Corner

Three Easter Symbols a stranger gave me

Last Monday afternoon, as I walked back to school after our chapel service at St George’s Cathedral, two men and a woman stopped me on Hay Street. They were clearly under the influence of alcohol. They were very loud and too excited as I talked with them — it was quite a scene. 

I do get stopped a lot in the city by all kinds of curious enquirers. In this instance, the woman gave me a candle, which she confessed she had “taken” from the Trinity Church across the street. She laughed about it. Then she gave me a small Easter egg and a pack of baby wipes — brand new! Later, as I reflected on that experience on Hay Street, I realised that the stranger had given me three perfect symbols of Easter. The candle. One of the main services during Easter, is the Service of the Light in which the resurrection of Christ is proclaimed. The big Easter candle symbolises Christ, the light of the world, risen from the darkness of the grave. Then the Easter egg. Kids cannot wait for the Easter service to end so they can go egg-hunting in and outside of the church building.

 As early as the first century AD, eggs became symbols of rebirth. Some of the chocolate eggs are empty inside, symbolising the empty tomb of Jesus, while others will have goodies inside, symbolising the gifts of the spirit which the risen Christ brings - among which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. What about the baby wipes? I take them as a symbol of the spiritual cleansing the risen Christ brings us, our sins are washed away by his blood, hence baptisms on Easter Day. Happy Easter!

Fr Gift Makwasha

School Chaplain