Easter is upon us as we’ve celebrated Easter Vigil yesterday and the festival celebration of Easter today. We have completed our journey of self-reflection and preparation for Christ’s resurrection.
Our invitation to worship at both services confirmed what we know is true, that God came as Jesus to redeem us from sin and death. Our Hebrew scripture last night from Exodus provided the account of God delivering Israel from Egypt through the Red Sea. And alongside that was Ezekiel’s account of God breathing the spirit in to the lifeless people of Israel. The Psalmist’s refrains were reminders of God’s providence and defeat of our enemies and sins. Last night’s reading the letter to the Romans describes a society which is divided by expectations and orthodoxy while wrestling with the new truth of Jesus’ resurrection. Our Gospels were both Luke’s and John’s account of the women at the tomb and the reality of the resurrection.
Easter is upon us as a reminder that what we “know” may not be what is possible, especially in God’s kingdom. Especially in a divided community, we bank on the truth – Jesus was resurrected from the dead, not just for himself but for all of us. How are we called to live a changed life with Christ and remember that the life of today is not the end – God wins, even when the world tells us that the world will win. How does the message of Mary as the pillar of Jesus’ disciples striving with hope that Jesus would be found, then to recognize the truth about Jesus to share with the entire world, change us? How are we changed by the promise confirmed in Jesus’ resurrection?
I invite your comments,
Les+
Vigil Readings: Exodus 14:10-31, 15:20-21; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 114; Romans 6:3-11; Luke 24:1-12
Easter Readings: Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26; John 20:1-18
Easter Vigil sermon: https://audiomack.com/fatherles-2/song/easter-vigil-sermon-1
Easter Day sermon: https://audiomack.com/fatherles-2/song/easter-sunday-sermon
