I am sure, all of us at some stage in our lives have received an Easter egg. I think I got my first chocolate coated egg at Sunday school, three decades ago from the dear clergyman Rev. Charles Jansz.
Ah, the joyful feeling of opening the egg in half and discovering another layer of almond inside. Alas, time waits for no man, and life has carried me on. April for Christians is a significant month as we first observe the period of Lent, reflecting on the death of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary for the remission of our mortal sins and his subsequent resurrection on that first glorious Sunday. I reckon that Easter should receive more prominence than Christmas. The latter is a commercialized celebration now, and slowly coming to be known as the “season of happy holidays”- the concept originating from America. The Easter of yesteryear is loaded with much nostalgia. One’s childhood is perhaps the best milestone in the journey of life (or the pilgrim’s progress!!) I must confess that I have never observed any fast or abstinence during Lent. My understanding of the scriptures is that Christ endured that wretched death on the cross and thereby took the stain of our sin, and we don’t have to try and pay him back! Of course, we must strive to live a righteous life.
Culinary adventure
Having spent part of my childhood in Colombo 13 my mind returns to the various happenings that lead to Easter Sunday. The first of these were the renditions of the late Gyles Anandappa, who would narrate to us kids, his ‘heroic episode’ of witnessing the Easter Sunday air raid by the Japanese in 1942. Ah, dear Gyles would gesture with his hands, sweeping back and forth imitating the flight formation of the attacking aircraft. A sudden warning comes from Uncle Cyril asking him not to exaggerate the story and we would roar with laughter.
As I pass the magnificent Cathedral of St. Lucia that stands adjacent to St. Benedict’s College I could hear the melodious harmony of the choir in earnest rehearsal. I meet my dear friend Rev. Fr. Marc Berra, a French Jesuit monk. This wonderful human being came to Ceylon aged 19 and served here until he died aged 90. He always wore his trademark blue beret, and spoke fluently in Sinhalese. During my childhood many of our Easter visits were enriched by the presence of my Uncle Justin Alvis, a jolly flamboyant soul who migrated to Canada. One of the things I learnt from him was the preparation of a dish called a Beef Smore. The making of this dish is a culinary adventure that requires much patience. It begins with buying the right ‘cut’ of beef. Next, the beef must be marinated in coconut vinegar and an assortment of spices. After a few hours the meat is gently cooked in a cast iron pan. It is sliced, and slow cooked again immersed in thick coconut milk. The end product is a temptation! The ringing of the Cathedral bells proclaim Easter at 6 am. Uncle Placidus had this habit of lighting firecrackers, which would cause the dogs down the lane to run about seeking divine solace. I was up and ready to go to church with my parents. It was quite interesting to see the subdued display of fashion on a Sunday morning. The Burgher lasses took centre stage in their figure hugging dresses.
Mega malls
The Tamil and Sinhalese girls not to be outdone were adorned in embroidered outfits, and the aunties attired in their Indian sarees. There was an old gentleman, Douglas De Vos who looked like he walked out of a vintage Ceylon history book, clad in full white suite.
Easter lunch was quite an affair as my mother displayed her cooking prowess and turned out some fine chicken and pork. As Uncle Justin’s stereo belted out hits from Jim Reeves and Frank Sinatra we enjoyed our lunch.
The meal was complete with Dad’s favourite fruit and nut ice cream. A fun filled evening followed with various stories infused with a hot cup of ginger tea. Today, the celebration of Easter has turned out to be a very fancy event from luxurious hand crafted eggs to buffets. The Easter rabbit (not biblical at all) has gained celebrity status. During my stay in Texas the Easter Bunny took a whole new twist as models dress up in mega malls giving a different expression to tradition! All this dainty drama would seem to somehow smother the real meaning of hope and renewed transformation that Easter denotes.
It isn’t about eating chocolate coated eggs. Easter should continue to inspire us, to reflect God’s love to our fellow beings, by our words and actions in everyday life. That my friends would be the ultimate spiritual essence, which would fragrantly enhance each new day.