“Christ is risen from the dead, and by His death He has trampled upon death, and has given live to those, who are in the tombs.” – the Troparion of Pascha
Taking it on the level, as only You, Lord, can do. Giving what humanity, can only aspire to grasp.
Falling down, then getting up, pushed time upon time again. Light of Life into darkness, You brought life—heart, mind, and soul.
Impostors come, and they go, but Your Spirit, Lord, remains. Waiting our reception, Lord, not for one, but for the many.
As daylight breaks, The Sun gently makes its way across the room. A brightness calling out, But without sound, That which is truly out of sight.
A beacon as it beckons, Come closer, Look to see. Rising up and drawing near, A clearer view awaits.
Darker shades turn to blue, Then lighter still, Altogether moving up, Orange, yellow, gold, So bold, so pure, so true.
It echoes all around, A promise made as well as kept, From One heart to another, Meet me here, meet me there, No matter what, you can meet me anywhere.
Give thanks to the Lord for he is good, his love is everlasting. – Psalm 118:1
If you had to describe Easter in one word, what word would you use? While there is a plethora of words that could be chosen, what words speak more profoundly to you today, and what one word would be most fitting to encapsulate the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?
Reflecting on the Triduum, with all the words, images, and actions that take place from Holy Thursday thru the Easter Vigil, the word authenticity seems apropos. Jesus taught by example and told his disciples what was going to happen, and then it did happen. His words and actions were true from start to finish. However, Jesus was not alone in his authenticity (be who you are, do as you are).
Looking more intently at the words and actions of some of the other individuals closest to Jesus, one might come to see that they were also being themselves during those moments. For example, Judas succumbed to betraying Jesus through his real-life weakness, identifying more strongly with money and power than anything else at that time. Then there’s Peter denying Jesus three times. This is not a reflection of his sincerity and desire to follow Jesus, but rather just part of where he was and what he was capable of at that time. Many of the other disciples, ran and hid after Jesus was arrested. Some did not. For example, the many women who followed Jesus, and John who witnessed the crucifixion by Mary’s side.
Think about these individuals as fellow human beings who were at the same time and place in history, while having different experiences, internal dispositions, and outward responses to the same events. In what ways do you see the beauty of God’s mercy and love shine through loud and clear? What’s it like to know that regardless of shortcomings or strengths, Jesus loved and accepted them all, seeing their value as beloved and part of creation?
Oftentimes, we can look to label words, decisions, or actions as right or wrong. However, in the process, we neglect to see what we are forfeiting. Jesus, by seeing us for who we are, accepting us where we are, and loving us as we are, not only touches our hearts and enlightens our minds, but also moves us toward resurrection, turning authenticity into Alleluia.
Going about each day, there are many words that we speak and things that we do. What are the things said or done with purpose, and what kind? What do our words and actions mean to us, what inspires them, and how do they reflect eternal life to the world around us?
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his mercy endures forever. – Psalm 118:1
After Jesus’ body was laid in the tomb, a large stone was placed in front of the opening to it, and life for those seemingly left behind, although altered, carried on.
Then, the third day…
They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” – Mark 16:3
Envisioning the stone obstructing the way, brings me back to an instance from childhood. I recall one year in particular when there was work being done in our backyard that required excavation. Things were going along smoothly until a large boulder, seemingly immovable, was unearthed.
As a result, everything came to a halt and it stayed that way for a number of days. The contractor’s equipment was insufficient to move such a large object. Eventually, though, special equipment was brought in to move the boulder to the perimeter of the backyard. Now out of the way, the work that had been started was able to be completed.
In the days and years that followed, when playing or hanging out with siblings or friends, or just looking out across the yard, there was the boulder. Thinking back, it’s interesting that while some things that seemed so large in size during childhood, seem to have shrunken in adulthood, the boulder remained unchanged. It was huge then, and it is huge now. Still an awesome reminder that every situation, even the unexpected or seemingly impossible, can be overcome.
As the second Easter Sunday amidst Covid-19 times approaches, many thoughts and emotions surface around all that has transpired over the course of the past year, and more. In “normal” times, the experiences one encounters can be challenging enough, never mind a pandemic. Yet, despite the challenges and struggles, there is always help. That’s the promise.
When Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome, went to the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body, they expected the stone to be in the way, and they expected that they would need help. What they didn’t know, was that the stone had already been rolled back, and all that was left, was for them to arrive.
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go and anoint him. Very early when the sun had risen, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. They were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” When they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back; it was very large. On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed. He said to them, “Do not be amazed! You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go and tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.’” – Mark 16:1-7
Savior, he can move the mountains My God is mighty to save He is mighty to save Forever author of Salvation He rose and conquered the grave Jesus conquered the grave – Ben Fielding/Reuben Morgan – Mighty to Save
HopeThatFloats 
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