The Lord is Risen

Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

This year our Easters looked different. We weren't all together in one place, celebrating together. Most of us were hunkered down at home. 

Perhaps tired of the long days of enforced at-home-ness.
Perhaps worried about a loved one who is an essential worker and risking exposure to COVID-19.
Perhaps concerned that we are or will be sick.
Perhaps -- you can fill in how you feel. 

Despite our emotions and feelings, Easter came! 

How did you celebrate? By participating in one, or more, of the many online liturgies? By lighting your own candles? By talking to family and friends on Zoom or phone or Facebook? 

Jesus Christ is Risen! The Crucified One is alive!

Like the first witnesses, the women who came expecting to anoint the dead body of their beloved teacher and friend, our world is out of kilter. 

Like the world of the First Century, life is uncertain. The first disciples were so convinced that their life and ministry was over that they were in self-isolation--hiding 'in fear of the Jews'. 

Like us, the people of First Century Jerusalem and Judea did not know what the next day would bring. They never knew if a Roman soldier would conscript, steal, or even kill them. We keep waiting for worse and worse news, and perversely follow every tidbit no matter how bad it is. 

Br. James Koester, Superior of the Society of St. John Evangelist, notes, "Life may feel like a cruel joke today, but Jesus Christ is risen. You may not feel like Easter, but allow those faithful women who went to the tomb early, on the first day of the week, as the sun was dawning, and a new day was breaking, to carry you along with them. You may not feel like Easter, but allow those faithful women to show you what they saw. You may not feel like Easter, but run with those faithful women, who ran with fear and great joy. You may not feel like Easter but through your tears and sorrow, your fear and worry, your dread and anxiety, look for risen Jesus who stands before you, saying Greetings! It may not feel like Easter, but still Jesus Christ is risen today! Alleluia!"

We can BE the Church IN the World! 

How can we share our Easter message in this time? The women ran to tell the other disciples. We can also "Publish glad tidings, tidings of peace; tidings of Jesus, redemption, and release" (Hymn 539) in innovative ways. We can still pray and we can participate actively, even from our computers and couches. 

Invite friends to join you in one or more of these actions:

Worship via live-streamed services from around the Diocese posted in Diocesan listing of online worship opportunities

Use the links on the Diocesan Coronavirus page to offer your own prayers.

Watch and/or read items from the National Church and Presiding Bishop, including Habits of Grace. 

Participate in the Good Book Club reading of the Gospel of Matthew during Eastertide. 

Donate to a Food Panty, homeless shelter, or organization like Heading Home. 

Reach out to friends, family, shut-ins at nursing homes, first responders, and medical workers with a card or a meal or a virtual 'hello' on Facebook, phone, or text. 

Share your own ideas for 'being church' at this time. 

Watch for a Zoom event sometime this month where we can join for worship and sharing ways we are Being Church!!  

Plans continue for our Summer Events (restrictions permitting), and other opportunities to rejoice together. Keep up with them here, and via the calendar page.

Note: the Lectionary Study is on hiatus. 

This prayer from the New Zealand Prayer book, which I shared before is still beautifully applicable. 

God of the present moment,
God who in Jesus stills the storm
and soothes the frantic heart;
bring hope and courage to us
as we wait in uncertainty.
Bring hope that you will make us the equal
of whatever lies ahead.
Bring us courage to endure what cannot be avoided,
for your will is health and wholeness;
you are God, and we need you.