Friday, April 22, 2011

Easter – No Hare!

Goodfellas, starring Robert De Niro, is one of my favorite “veg” out movies. Aside from the violence, there are some great scenes that pop out at me each time I watch it. In one scene Jimmy, played by De Niro, is trying to collect money that is owed to him by Morrie the wig guy. In true “wise guy” fashion he makes the collection appointment and roughs Morrie up by beating him over the head with a telephone until the commitment for payment is offered up. Would it have been easier to use online bill pay?

In the process of extracting the “yes, I’ll give you your money”, Morrie’s wig goes flying off to reveal his bald head and adhesive wig strips! Morrie did not only sell wigs, he was also a customer.

Years ago, I wrote a children’s Easter musical, NO HARE! The dialogue and original songs told the story of an apprentice angel and mentor angel that were observing the human race during the Easter season. The younger angel was full of questions about the amount of attention that the rabbit was given during the holy holiday. The older mentor angel was full of sage advice and perspective on the human condition. In short, he explained how lost God’s children were.

What does our earthly celebration look like from a celestial perspective? Is it as silly as a wig stuck to a bald head with tape? There’s no hare in the Easter story. Yet, we try to make it fit year after year and we overdose on candy to make matters worse. Does the biblical account of Easter have no relevance in our modern society? Or maybe the realization of needing to be rescued is so painful that I would rather have a Baby Ruth?

The dialogue ended with the younger angel conceding that God saw in His people what no one is capable of seeing. Therefore, God’s plans are centered on humanity. That was enough to finish the Angel 101 training.

Just before the close of the curtain, Jesus took center stage and sang an 80’s ballad that ended the production.

“It is finished, my task is over. It is finished; it’s time to go home. It is finished; no one will ever walk this road again. It is finished once and for all.”

Maybe we should start throwing “It is finished” parties. All kinds of candy would be welcome. We could shave our heads and exchange wigs. No rabbits allowed.