Easter Egg or Easter Chicken?

I had a funny but meaningful experience last April 13, Monday after Easter Sunday.

Fr. Joel Caasi, parish priest of San Lorenzo Parish, Talomo, Davao City, sent me 3 dressed chicken! An hour before he had inquired about my present situation at my residence, which I felt was a sign of concern about my life.

Receiving 3 chickens the day after Easter Sunday can have no other title but an Easter Gift! What is funny here? In a smiling gratitude, I texted Fr. Joca that usually Easter gifts are colored Eggs, not whole Chicken! His response were HA HA HA! That was fun. But why meaningful?

Well, it made me ask the difference between Rebirth and Renewal. According to an old tradition in Western cultures and countries Easter egg was a symbol of new life. Rebirth is being born again to new life. In Christian spirituality this is called conversion, total personal transformation, or in the words of St. Paul “being a new man”.

Renewal refers to something superficial, to a person’s new attitude, new outlook, new behavior, new values. I think “dressed chicken” can be an apt symbol for a new way of thinking and doing things.

I thought that was a meaningful gesture of Fr. Caasi, which I am sure he did not plan but which I am sure was a subtle work of the Holy Spirit.