Happy Easter to all of you.

A favorite Easter story for me is “The Rabbi’s Gift” by M. Scott Peck. A monastery is dying, it’s five monks aging and dispirited, the buildings falling into disrepair, the grounds overgrown and unappealing, when a rabbi from a nearby hermitage shows up. When the abbot asks the rabbi if he has any advice on how to restore the monastery, the rabbi replies, “No, I am sorry. I have no advice to give. The only thing I can tell you is that the Messiah is one of you.”

When the abbot shares this information with his fellow monks, they are all deeply puzzled. What does he mean, “The Messiah is one of you.” Who could it be? Could it be the abbot? Could it be one of the monks? Could it be me?

Gradually the monks begin to see each other and themselves with new eyes. With the possibility that the person beside them could be the Messiah, their grumpiness becomes graciousness. They treat each other with greater respect and kindness. Smiles appear on their faces and laughter echos through the halls.

As their spirits renew and flourish, so do the gardens, and townspeople begin to visit once again. Sensing this inspiring energy, young men join the monastery and the buildings are repaired. Thanks to the rabbi’s gift, the monastery becomes a spiritual center once again.

Easter is a time of hope and renewal. As we celebrate, why not consider the possibility that the Messiah, the Christ, the Buddha, God herself is within each of us no matter our religion or politics or nationality. When we can truly see and sense that, then we will be the person I think we were meant to be.