A Season of Shared Hope Eric Malley Offers a Reflective Easter and Passover Message for All
The Privilege of Serving as Liturgist: A Shared Message of Hope and Liberation | Reflections by Deacon Eric Malley, First Church, West Hartford, CT. USA
As we celebrate Easter, we honor the shared heritage of hope and liberation that unites us with our Jewish brothers and sisters. Both Easter and Passover call us to remember the past, celebrate the present, and look forward with hope to a future shaped by justice, compassion, and freedom.
Passover A Season of Liberation and Renewal
For the Jewish community, Passover (Pesach) is a time of thoughtful reflection and celebration, commemorating the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to the freedom of the Promised Land. Through the Seder meal, the retelling of the Exodus, and the sharing of symbolic foods, families remember God’s deliverance and the enduring promise of freedom. Passover is not only a historical remembrance but a living tradition that inspires gratitude, resilience, and a commitment to justice in every generation.
“But your dead will live, Lord; their bodies will rise let those who dwell in the dust wake up and shout for joy your dew is like the dew of the morning the earth will give birth to her dead.”
(Isaiah 26:19)
This ancient promise of resurrection and renewal speaks to the hope that God’s life-giving power is always at work, even in our darkest moments.
Easter Rebirth Hope and the Promise of New Life
For Christians, Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a moment of profound hope, rebirth, and spiritual liberation. The resurrection is seen as God’s ultimate act of deliverance, offering freedom from sin and death, and the promise of new beginnings for all who believe. Easter traditions, worship, shared meals, acts of service, reflect the universal longing for connection, renewal, and the affirmation of life’s sacredness.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
(1 Peter 1:3)
This verse beautifully captures the heart of Easter through Christ’s resurrection, we are given a living hope and the promise of new beginnings.
Spherical Philosophy and the WiiRize Ethos A Vision for Community
Both Passover and Easter are rooted in the themes of liberation, renewal, and hope. Spherical Philosophy™, a framework I conceptualized, views life and community as interconnected dynamic spheres where every action, relationship, and contribution ripples outward, shaping the whole. Spherical Philosophy™ encourages us to approach life with adaptability, resilience, and continuous discovery, seeing challenges as opportunities for growth and authentic connection.
Building on this, our WiiRize community ethos, as described at EricMalley.com under “Visionary Leadership,” calls us to support, educate, and uplift one another. As a community, we are focused on reaching up to 100,000 students this year, emphasizing collaborative efforts that empower individuals and transform lives. The WiiRize ethos is about more than just numbers; it is about fostering a culture where everyone’s gifts are valued, and where we rise together through shared purpose and mutual support. This vision is not mine alone, it is a collaborative effort, inviting every member of our community to participate, contribute, and lead. Together, we can create a legacy of hope, learning, and compassion that extends far beyond our walls.
My Personal Journey Rebirth and Connection
As I reflect on my own journey, I am reminded of the power of new beginnings and the deep significance of human connection
“Easter has always been a time of personal rebirth for me, a moment to let go of the past and step into the promise of new life. Each year, I am reminded that no matter how many times we stumble, we are invited to begin again, renewed by hope and faith.”
And it is through our relationships that this renewal becomes real
“The most lasting celebrations are those we share with others. The intimacy of human connection, whether in a quiet conversation, a shared meal, or a moment of worship, transforms fleeting joy into enduring meaning. Easter’s message endures because it is lived out in the bonds we form and the love we give.”
The Lasting Celebration Family Community and Shared Traditions
Easter and Passover are not only religious observances but also times for loved ones to gather, share special meals, and pass down customs from generation to generation. These holidays emphasize the importance of family, community, and the creation of cherished memories and a sense of belonging.
For interfaith families and communities, this season is a beautiful opportunity for cultural exchange and mutual appreciation. The shared themes of renewal, liberation, and hope provide common ground for reflection and celebration, inviting all to participate in the ongoing story of freedom and faith.
My Final Thought Our Shared Journey of Hope and Liberation
As we gather this season, may we be inspired to contribute to our communities in whatever way we are able, knowing that every act of love and service is part of the ongoing story of liberation, resurrection, and renewal for all people, everywhere. Spherical Philosophy™ reminds us that hope and rebirth are not solitary acts but shared journeys, ones that call us to roll away the stones in our own lives and in our communities, so that hope, compassion, and new life may flourish for all.
Just as the sphere’s surface is endless and interconnected, so too is the hope of Passover and Easter ever renewing, ever inviting, and ever transforming, calling us to be agents of liberation and resurrection in our world.
Reflections by Deacon Eric Malley, First Church of Christ, West Hartford, CT USA | With gratitude for the leadership of The Reverend Fredd L. Ward Jr.
