Whatever our beliefs, the teachings of Jesus are more relevant than ever this Easter

There is some wisdom to be found in each of the major world religions – something that will speak to all of us as human beings, no matter our background or upbringing, writes Harriet Williamson

Justin Welby: ‘The principle must stand the judgement of God, and it cannot’ (Getty)

On Easter Monday, we are coming to the end of the long bank holiday weekend. I was brought up a Christian, and Easter was an important celebration for my family.

We’d give up chocolate and sweets for Lent, to commemorate the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert and being tempted by Satan. As a child, Lent always seemed to me to come very quickly after Advent, when we also gave up chocolate, sweets and crisps (all the good stuff) in preparation for Christmas.

Now that I’m an adult, my beliefs do not extend to the spiritual, and I am not a follower of Christianity, but I still think there’s value to be taken from the New Testament and the teachings of the big JC. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth. Love your neighbour as yourself.

Be kind, be compassionate, don’t hoard wealth. If we had a bit more of that, and a bit less of the greed and bigotry and trampling of the poor and vulnerable, the world would be a better place.

Jesus wasn’t particularly interested in hanging around with the establishment figures of the day. According to the gospels, he welcomed the people society looked down on – sinners, tax collectors, women. He wanted to chill with those who were “othered” or seen as untouchable.

There is perhaps some wisdom to be found in every one of the major world religions – something that will speak to all of us as human beings, no matter our background or upbringing.

It seems more pertinent than ever to look to the teachings of Jesus this Easter, in the face of the government’s proposed scheme to ship those attempting to find safety and build better lives in the UK to Rwanda for “processing”.

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The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, condemned the plan in his Easter Sunday sermon, saying: “The details are for politics. The principle must stand the judgement of God, and it cannot. It cannot carry the weight of resurrection justice, of life conquering death.

“It cannot carry the weight of the resurrection that was first to the least valued, for it privileges the rich and strong.”

Those seeking to rubbish or delegitimise his position are perhaps forgetting that addressing issues of suffering and injustice is exactly what religious leaders should be doing.

Wishing you all a peaceful Easter Monday.

Yours,

Harriet Williamson

Voices commissioning editor