Modern tragedy reminder of ancient reassurance

There is a tree in Banda Aceh that stands dead today. Speak to the villagers and they will tell you the story of up to 50 people desperately clinging to the branches of that tree as the devastating waves of the Tsunami swirled under them and among them on Boxing Day. They live today because of that tree, and it's changed the way they live.

Easter reminds us of another tree, a cross from a tree.

There was a dying there, a sacrifice, as waves of darkness swirled around and engulfed Jesus the Christ.

Speak to those who know of these things: they will tell you that if you cling to the tree where Jesus died, you will live.

An amazing tree of long ago that offers light and life to us in 2005.

And it changes the way you live among others. For some people 2005 includes waves of difficulty and darkness that suck the life out of living, brings pressures and pain in relationships, and has fear and failure knocking on the door.

We can be a strong tree for them, for where there is giving, and a little dying to our own interests, there is life for others. That would be a happy Easter.

* Rt Rev Garry Marquand, Moderator of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand

A miracle to upset life's certainties

There are some things we know for sure about Easter.

We know that traffic will be heavy in and out of main centres. We know that some people will probably be killed in traffic accidents, and many more are likely to be injured. We know, therefore, that for many people, this Easter weekend will bring shock and grief.

We know that some retail outlets will find the restraints around trading on Good Friday irksome, even nonsensical.

We know this weekend some people will eat far more hot cross buns and chocolate than nutritionists think is good for them.

We know that, for some people, this Easter holiday will provide much-needed relaxation, time to tidy up the garden.

For others, it will be work as usual, or not enough food for the family as usual, or loneliness and isolation as usual.

And all this because of a Christian festival rich in symbolism, and curious stories of a vacant cross, an empty tomb, and resurrection appearances.

For some Christians these are unquestionable signs of the continuing presence of Christ in human experience.

For others they are powerful symbols that things as we experience them are not all there is to the story, broken bodies and spirits can heal, death and desolation can be transformed.