Hi everyone,
It is already Easter. Well, it will be in a week at the time of writing this, but your results may vary depending on when you read it. But, we are really, really close. And I’ll be honest, it feels a bit weird to me to talk about Easter already when we are technically (at the time of writing this) in the beginnings of Holy Week, not quite ready for the Alleluia of Easter.
But that is ok, we’ll do it anyway.
Because the resurrection isn’t tied to any specific day. It isn’t tied to any specific reading. It isn’t even tied to any specific event (well, maybe the Resurrection itself, but also much more than that).
Rather, resurrection happens all around us, all the time. It is just how we experience it and recognize it that is different.
Here are the readings for next week:
Isaiah 65:17-25
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
1 Corinthians 15:19-26
Luke 24:1-12
So the designated texts for this week came in all shapes and sizes and many alternate texts to choose from. There was so much choice that I actually had a hard time choosing which would be most appropriate for the message that seems poignant for this year.
But then, you know what? They are all about the resurrection anyway. The message is exactly that: resurrection. And no matter how you slice it, we experience it, it is apparent in our lives, and in the middle of it all is Jesus.
Recognised or unrecognised, named or unnamed, attributed to be Jesus or not, he is still in the middle of it all, breathing into us life, love, and the grace and mercy of God. That even in death, there is new life springing forth, bringing us peace and joy in community and God’s kingdom.
Jesus, in the middle of it all, in our hearts, our congregations, and all around us, reminding us of this great gift of resurrection in the face of anything that resembles death.
May God’s love surround and embrace us this Easter and always! Christ is risen, alleluia!
Have a great week, everyone!