Easter Butterflies

These are some of the delicious butterfly cakes my niece made for us to eat today, Easter Sunday.  There were more of them before we sat down for the lovely roast lunch she had cooked, but by the time I took this picture we'd already devoured quite a few.

In the Christian church, the butterfly has long been a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus.  The first stage of its life-cycle, as a caterpillar, stands for His earthly life when He had the same physical needs as all living creatures.  The second stage when it disappears, apparently lifeless, into a cocoon portrays His crucifixion and burial in the tomb.  In the final stage, when it emerges from "death", it has transformed into something more beautiful and powerful than it was - representing Christ's resurrection - to soar into a new and glorious life free of material concerns and earthly restrictions.

This year, Easter and the seasonal renewal of life everywhere have an even more special significance for me than usual.  Never has a springtime been more welcome.