Sunday, April 12, 2020

Resurrecton of the Lord / Easter Day

The Revised Common Lectionary passages for the Lord’s Day are:

First Reading: Acts 10:34-43 (or alternatively Jeremiah 31:1-6)
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
Second Reading: Colossian 3:1-4 (or alternatively Acts 10:34-43)
Gospel Reading: John 20:1-18 (or alternatively Matthew 28:1-10)

The liturgical color for the day is: White

The day of resurrection!  Alas, the day of resurrection comes.

The disciples were not present for the event.  They were locked in their homes.  They were in fear.  They were still trying to orient themselves to this ever-present reality that was beyond nightmare.

The women.  They dared to venture out.  Dare we guess it—they were socially distant from others with their right-at-dawn foray. Tomb open?  The scene is not as they expect it.

The day of resurrection!  Alas, the day of resurrection comes.

The scene is not as we would expect it.  Grand anthems, elaborately decorated chancels, scent of lilies in the air—no.  Sanctuaries packed with people—no.  Egg hunts and family gatherings—no.

Instead.  In our homes.  Frightened.  Still more sick.  Still more dying. The very news is anything and everything, but it sure isn’t good news.  Not what we had planned.  Not what we had expected.

The day of resurrection!  Alas, the day of resurrection comes.

(It is the wrong season and occasion, but one can just see the stymied Grinch Who Stole Christmas rubbing his brow.  After all that work to remove every sign of Christmas—Christmas still comes.  And down in village they are all signing and celebrating. Christmas came without any of the usual fanfare.)

Without any of the usual fanfare, Easter still comes.

The day of resurrection!  Alas, the day of resurrection comes.

God’s great YES to life—is as loud and resounding with all of us in our homes as it is in our pews!

Yes. Yes, to life. Yes, to resurrection.  YES!

Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena
General Presbyter and Stated Clerk