Motivation Mondays: Revisiting Easter & Passover
“The cause of Freedom and the cause of Peace are bound together.” Leon Blum
Motivation Mondays Revisiting Easter & Passover
Motivation Mondays: Revisiting Easter & Passover
Happy Easter and Passover weekend!
Growing up, Easter was central to my religious celebrations. I looked forward to the joy of Easter Sunday services, colorful eggs, and special meals—complete with chocolate treats shaped like bunnies and eggs. It was a time of celebration, family, and faith.
When I got married, Passover became part of my life as well. My first Seder at my in-laws’ home was a beautiful and meaningful experience—rich with prayer, storytelling, song, and tradition. Family members took turns reading from the Haggadah, and the seriousness of the story was gently balanced with laughter, shared reflections, a sip of wine, and delicious food. It created a deep sense of connection and reminded me that gratitude—to God and to one another—is essential.
Reflecting on both Easter and Passover, I am reminded that we are all children of one Creator. Faith, family, and shared moments of communion matter because they bring us together. Celebrating both traditions has deepened my respect for all spiritual paths. After all, we are each on a journey—returning to ourselves, guided by faith, love, and purpose.
This year, in the spirit of Easter and Passover, let us pray for global healing and an end to suffering. Let us extend peace and goodwill to one another and keep hope alive. We can all do our part. I will be attending online services, spending time in the Word, sharing meals with loved ones, and giving so that other families may also be fed.
A Shared Message of Renewal and Freedom
Passover (Pesach) commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt—a powerful reminder of faith, resilience, and freedom. Through the Seder, families retell this story using symbolic foods, prayers, and song, honoring both struggle and deliverance. “Remember this day, in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” (Exodus 13:3)
Easter, central to Christianity, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ—a profound symbol of renewal, hope, and victory over death. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, new life is possible. Together, these sacred traditions teach us about freedom, sacrifice, renewal, and hope. “He is not here; for he has risen, as he said.” (Matthew 28:6)
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Some More Insights on Easter & Passover
“Easter is a time when God turned the inevitability of death into the invincibility of life.” Craig D. Lounsbrough
Motivation Mondays Revisiting Easter & Passover
What Do You Know About Easter? Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after His crucifixion—a powerful symbol of hope, renewal, and new life. The Easter season lasts 50 days, from Easter Sunday through Pentecost. Easter is associated with the white lily, a flower that symbolizes purity and resurrection. Decorated Easter eggs have deep cultural roots. In Eastern Europe, they were known as Pysanka, intricately painted to represent the beauty and renewal of spring. Easter is a movable feast, meaning it does not fall on a fixed date each year, but is observed between March 22 and April 25.
The Easter Story & Key Events of Holy Week 2026
The Easter story, central to Christianity, commemorates the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. After being betrayed, arrested, and crucified, Jesus was laid in a tomb. Three days later, on Sunday, Easter Sunday, his followers found the tomb empty and were told by an angel that He had risen.
Triumphal Entry (Palm Sunday) – March 29: Jesus enters Jerusalem and is welcomed by crowds as a king.
The Last Supper (Maundy/Holy Thursday) – April 2: Jesus shares a final meal with His disciples, establishing the Eucharist. Betrayal and Arrest: Judas Iscariot leads authorities to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
Crucifixion (Good Friday) – April 3: Jesus is tried, sentenced, and crucified at Calvary, taking on the sins of humanity.
Sabbatum Sanctum/ Easter Vigil (Holy Saturday) – April 4: Commemorates the Harrowing of Hell while Jesus Christ’s body lay in the tomb
Resurrection (Easter Sunday) – April 5: Women, including Mary Magdalene, discover the empty tomb. Angels proclaim that Jesus has risen, and He later appears to His followers. The resurrection affirms Jesus’ identity as the Son of God and represents victory over death, offering the promise of eternal life to believers.
What About The Bunny?
The tradition of the Easter bunny dates back to 17th-century Germany. It was later brought to America, particularly Pennsylvania, where stories of a rabbit delivering eggs became popular. The German legend of the Osterhase told of children receiving brightly colored eggs as a reward for good behavior. For many of us, Easter is also filled with joyful traditions—spirited church services, festive gatherings, new spring attire, and of course, chocolate eggs and shared meals with loved ones.
“Passover affirms the great truth that liberty is the inalienable right of every human being.” Morris Joseph
Motivation Mondays Revisiting Easter & Passover
What Do You Know About Passover? Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, commemorates the Israelites’ liberation from slavery in Egypt—a story of faith, resilience, and freedom. The Passover Seder is a meaningful and symbolic family meal held on the first (and sometimes second) night of Passover. During the Seder, the story of the Exodus is retold through readings, rituals, food, and song. The term “Passover” refers to the biblical moment when the Angel of Death “passed over” the homes of the Israelites during the final plague in Egypt. God told Moses that the Israelites in Egypt must mark the lamb’s blood above their doors so the Angel of Death from the 10th Plague of Egypt would not cause the death of their firstborn sons. The Haggadah is the sacred text used during the Seder, guiding participants through the story, prayers, and traditions of the evening.
Passover is known by three names: Pesach, referring to the Passover sacrifice. Chag Hamatzot; the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Zeman Cheiruteinu; the Season of Our Freedom. Traditionally, four cups of wine are consumed during the Seder, and matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten throughout the seven or eight days of the holiday. A beloved part of the Seder is singing Dayenu, a joyful Hebrew song expressing gratitude for each blessing along the journey to freedom, and sharing greetings. “Chag Sameach! Wishing you every blessing and a life filled with joy and love. Happy Passover!”
Key Passover Observances (Pesach) 2026:
Passover begins at sundown on April 1 and ends at nightfall on April 9. Outside of Israel, the Seder is traditionally observed on the first two nights, when families gather for prayer, storytelling, and symbolic foods.
April 1: Fast of the Firstborn (Siyum); Evening Services & First Seder
April 2: Morning Services & Second Seder
April 3: Morning Services
April 4 (Shabbat): Morning Services
April 8: Morning Services
April 9 (Last Day of Pesach): Morning Services, Yizkor (Memorial Prayer for the Departed) and Moshiach’s Seudah (Messiah’s Meal)
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Moments of Reflection
“Passover and Easter are the only Jewish and Christian holidays that move in sync, like the ice skating pairs we saw during the winter Olympics.” Marvin Olasky
Motivation Mondays Revisiting Easter & Passover
What do Easter and Passover mean to you? For me, Easter brings a spirit of renewal—a chance to begin again. Passover reminds me of the importance of freedom—both spiritual and personal—and the courage it takes to move forward. Both invite us to reflect, grow, and recommit to the lives we are called to live.
A Blessing/Dinner Prayer for Today – By Izola White
Loving God, bless all those gathered here today as we come together in friendship and fellowship.
Place in our hearts the desire to make a difference—to our families, our communities, and the world.
Give us balance in times of uncertainty, and help us move forward with determination and joy.
Thank you for the food in a world where many know hunger,
For faith in a world where many know fear,
And for love in a world where many know loneliness.
For all of this, we give you thanks. Amen.
Closing Thoughts/Reflections
Easter and Passover, though rooted in different traditions, share a powerful message—that renewal and freedom are always possible. One reminds us that life can rise again, even after loss. The other teaches us that liberation comes through faith, courage, and perseverance. Together, they call us to reflect, to grow, and to move forward with hope.
May we embrace this season as an opportunity to walk boldly in freedom by uplifting ourselves and one another along the way. May hope rise. May freedom prevail. May love lead us forward.
May this season renew our spirit, strengthen our faith, and remind us of the power of love, freedom, and community.
Chag Sameach. Happy Resurrection Day. Happy Easter!
Positive Motivation Tip: Easter and Passover bring us together to celebrate the good. May hope always rise within us.
Related Posts
- Reflections: Memories Of Easter & Passover…(mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: Reflections On Easter & Passover(mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: RESURRECTION (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation Mondays: REBIRTH (mirthandmotivation)
- Motivation 2020: Easter & Passover(mirthandmotivation)
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos – Easter and Passover via Stock Adobe Free Easter, Passover via Pixabay, Easter Breakfast, Seder Plate, Easter, Passover WIKIPEDIA
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
