To keep myself fit in mind and body I am walking or biking most every day now. Hopefully that exercise will offset my increased snacking! During my walks I come across some interesting sidewalk art - you see an example here. I've seen a number of these "stained glass window" patterns, but early this morning I came across this one with a cross as the focus of the drawing. Presumably it was drawn on Good Friday by a young artist who felt it important to commemorate the Passion, a solemn day of great significance to Christians around the world. Well done.
We won't be physically be present in our respective churches tomorrow morning to celebrate in word and song the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. The vast majority of us will, hopefully, worship from our home, and share in a virtual Easter service this year. Someone observed that on the first Easter day the disciples were in hiding behind locked doors and unsure of their immediate and future safety, fearing reprisals by the Jewish authorities; definitely a few parallels to our own circumstances today. The primary difference being that we, through their witness, are recipients of the glorious news of Jesus' victory over death and the grave, his bodily resurrection and ultimate ascension to the right hand of the Father.
It is hard to imagine the consternation and confusion of thoughts and emotions that must have overwhelmed the disciples that Easter morning; shock, disbelief, questioning, and ultimately gradual acceptance of the reality of the resurrection. But the implications of that reality must have taken much longer, and been more difficult to absorb in many ways. They had evidence of God's power over death, they were assured of his love for them and for world, and that God will ultimately be victorious over evil. But what they couldn't know was God's particular will and purpose for each of their lives from that day forward. Moving forward after Easter in power and assurance was a matter of trust, and a willingness to follow Jesus' call.
As we, his worldwide Church, remember, celebrate and experience the joy of the Easter event in the midst of a pandemic, that has or will change the lives of virtually everyone on the planet, let us renew our trust in God alone, embrace our call, and demonstrate before the watching world a Spirit-inspired love and compassion for all. For it is the Church, every member of the Body, to continue the incarnation of God's love and desire that all world should come to Jesus and know eternal life in and through him.
On this blessed Easter Day, whether virtually or at a safe social distance greet one another with the great good news: He is Risen! The Lord is Risen Indeed, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Comments