Sunday, April 9, 2023

It was early in the morning when the women went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus as was the custom.  The men it seems were still in hiding, fearful of sharing the same fate as their erstwhile leader.  Although the Gospel accounts vary in detail, one thing was clear.  There was no body.  The tomb was empty.

The texts tell us that the women were seized with terror and amazement, with both fear and great joy and that they ran to tell the other disciples who did not believe that it was possible until they saw for themselves that the tomb was empty. Their fear became transformed into the kind of courage incomprehensible in that day, and even in ours.

Easter is not about an event that happened a long time ago; it is a transforming power for our lives today.  Easter speaks to the very essence of what it means to be human – with all our fears and foibles as well as our losses and limitations as well as what we can be by living as if Jesus’ life really matters.

Prayer for the Day

Humbly, we approach you, O God, this Easter morning,
    Wanting to believe in the possibility but get caught up in detail;
You have shown us that Easter means that a life lived for others
    With a passion for mercy and justice did not die on a cross.  
Rooted in you, even in death, all things seem alive; reborn, transfigured.
    Not darkness, but the morning awaits us, full of hope as new light.
In the name of the One who transforms our lives,
    Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Thoughts for the Day

In a world so bent, I sometimes forget that the magic is always inside us. We have all the tools that we need. All we need to do is keep trying to find it.
     - Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer, American poet

The body of Jesus leaves the tomb, and the tomb is empty. Just how is it possible or conceived that the mortal, perishable body is now present as the immortal, imperishable, transfigured body remains a mystery to us. …From the resurrection we know that God has not abandoned the earth, but has reconquered it, has given it a new future, a new promise.
     - Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German theologian (1906 - April 9, 1945)

 But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.  He is not here; or he has been raised, as he said.  Come, see the place where he lay.  Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead’ …This is my message for you” – Matthew 28: 4-7

Resurrection, by Rembrandt van Rijn