You will not find Easter sales in any of Jakarta’s popular shopping malls or perhaps in predominantly Christian countries across the globe, unlike at Christmastime during which many employers allocate holiday bonuses for their workers to spend with their families. In a nutshell, Easter is not as colorful and dazzling as Christmas.

This is despite the fact that in the tradition of Christianity, Catholicism, Protestantism, Orthodox and many other denominations, Easter is a testimony of the mystery of the Christian faith. For them, Easter is the most important holiday as on that day they celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead three days after his crucifixion, therefore the victory of God’s love over the power of sin and death.

As a Muslim-majority country, understandably Indonesia does not recognize Easter as a public holiday. Therefore, the minority Christian community cannot expect the government to wish them a happy Easter tomorrow, unlike on Christmas.

Nevertheless, Easter is never short of lessons, if not a source of inspiration, that we can learn to make this world a better place to live.

Easter speaks volumes of hope and the spirit to emerge from a catastrophe. While Christians believe there is no crown without a cross, mankind learns there is always a gain after pain.

This year’s Easter could not be more fitting for Indonesia and the entire world now that we are clawing our way back from the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, only to find another daunting challenge in the looming global recession. The pandemic tested the resilience of nations and Indonesia should be grateful to have passed the trial, albeit with some errors in the beginning.

As a nation known for its religiosity, Indonesian people of various faiths sought in their devotions at home or places of worship divine intervention to escape from the perils of the health crisis. Many found that their prayers were answered now that COVID-19 has been brought under control, but more importantly, the nation demonstrated fortitude in the face of future threats.

The government’s tagline “Recover stronger and rise faster” reflects the country’s intention to resurrect from the deadly impacts of the pandemic, but it will sound like wishful thinking if it does not receive the full support of the people. As with the spirit of Easter, the government is responsible for transforming the anxiety and despair facing the people into a source of power that they badly need to realize their quest for recovery.

Easter is also a story of reconciliation between humans and their God, through the sacrifice of Jesus according to Christian belief. In today’s context, at a time when humankind is on the verge of ecological destruction as a result of our centuries-old greedy development model, the reconciliatory gesture has taken the form of greater awareness of environment, social and governance principles on the part of policymakers and industry players.

There can be no sustainable business without respect for the rights of people around operational areas, commitment to transparency and accountability and the preservation of nature. There have been movements calling on people to reduce carbon emissions through energy-saving initiatives or a shift to renewables. All are intended to restore the relationship between man and Mother Nature.

Easter falls in April, as does Idul Fitri this year, which is likely to be observed on April 22, depending on the government’s decision. Whether coincidental or not, having two major holidays of two Abrahamic religions within the same month only suggests the need for us to stay close to each other in heart so that we can care for one another.

Indeed, harmony, amid diversity, will allow peace to prevail on Earth. Happy Easter.