You are Loved
On Ash Wednesday, about forty-seven days ago, 60 of you said thank you to me when I said ashes to ashes, dust to dust, from God you have come and God you will return. Why say thank you or Amen? What were you institutively reflecting on? We acknowledge the reality that our life is in God. God is already creating and holding our lives even we asked the question: Does God really love me?
Some of us are still waiting in the dark. Some of us still feel like we are waiting in the dark. In Matthew’s Gospel, that we heard this morning, the writer has Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, seeking out the tomb, while the sun is only beginning to dawn. They are expecting to find Jesus lying dead in the tomb. One expects the dead to remain dead. They are still not sure how they will anoint his body, because they are not sure how they will move the stone. And all of the obstacles and worries are removed! In the midst of their fears and concerns, Mary and Mary Magdalene encounter the Risen Christ.
If we weren’t waiting in our challenges and trials, darkness and Holy Saturdays, the darkness of the tomb, the good news might not be quite so incredibly life transformationally good. This is not just about literal death – although many of us know the sting of grief and death – it is our dark night. It is the reason why the women went in the darkness to seek Jesus. Resurrection – in Greek – Anastasis is literally – standing up on your feet. Rising when it seems like all is lost. Raising when out of the end.
When we see signs of resurrection, we are reminded that God’s love springs eternal. As Eugene Peterson says, “The practice of resurrection encourages improvisation on the basic resurrection as given in our Scriptures and revealed in Jesus.” (1)
Sometimes we see resurrection in creation.
It was only two weeks ago, when we began to wonder when daffodils would ever bloom. And then if the crocuses would ever dress their green stems in royal purple? It was only two weeks ago when flowering cherry trees had not yet popped, and redbuds had not shown more than dry branches. And the wind whipped wildly. It felt more like Holy Saturday then Easter morning. For we waited, and we waited, and we waited. But each time we catch sight of the snowdrops that have bravely shown through, and golden forsythia that have boldly claimed their space, we know new life has come again. We can not help but share the good news! Our smiles widen and our spirits rise. Signs of resurrection have come in creation itself.
Christ is risen
He is risen, indeed.
You are loved.
Sometimes we see resurrection in one another, like the wonder of toddler who is learning to jump. I can remember when our Felicity decided that she wanted to jump at almost 2 years. For the first week, she would bend her knees, but no upward movement. She was flexing her muscles and preparing her legs. Next, she was able to add the arms – the pumping upward that comes with a jump. Finally, as she continued to practice day in and day out, she put the arms and the knees together and managed the smallest half-inch off of the ground. We rejoiced! We celebrated with her. She would jump again and again getting a bit higher off the ground week by week. Until, she became expert jumper and loved to show off her skill anytime she was asked. She stopped everyone to show them her jumping! Signs of resurrection are like a toddler learning to jump. We cannot help but share the good news with everyone we see. Signs of resurrection have come in one another.
Christ is risen
He is risen, indeed.
You are loved.
Sometimes we see resurrection in ourselves. After a Lent of taking on love, we offer ourselves to God for God’s use. We do a spring cleaning of unnecessary resentment and upset, ill-will and frustration. Like a spring cleaning, we open the proverbial windows to fresh air and deep cleansing breath, so that the Holy Spirit might come anew. We offer our hands at communion hoping to receive to the bread, not taking or striving, grasping, or assuming. But we stand with open hands, open to receive God’s very presence. We receive communion as a gift freely offered us for us. And we receive the bread and cup we find ourselves changed. Changed by the very presence of the Holy Spirit in and through us. Signs of resurrection have come through changes in our very selves.
Christ is risen
He is risen, indeed.
You are loved.
We have seen signs of resurrection in the larger world around us. When the fire took hold in the Notre Dome Cathedral in Paris on Monday, many of us watched in horror. Centuries of architecture and history burning before our eyes. And we told stories of Notre Dome vacation and pilgrimages, and lamented the Victor Hugo’s Hunchback, and watched funds pour in for rebuilding. However, Notre Dome was not the only sacred space that affected by fire: St. Mary Baptist Church, Greater Union Baptist Church and Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church were the targets of arson in Louisiana. Out of horror, we found resurrection and hope as people of faith began to organize and look for ways to affect change.
Resurrection always bring life from death, inclusion where exclusion might have been. So, the story line changed! Initially, funds were only being raised for Notre Dome. And almost 1 billion dollars has been raised. However, using social capital, some began advocating for funds to go towards the Louisiana churches. The Louisiana churches have now received over 2 million dollars. Now Notre Dome and the three church in Louisiana are inextricably linked. Life has come from death; newness will come from ash as funds have been given for rebuilding both in Paris and Louisiana. Instead of one church being rebuilt, now four will be restored and the gospel proclaimed! Resurrection is Jesus saying to the disciples Go and tell my disciples in Louisanna and in Paris, they will see me!
Christ is risen
He is risen, indeed.
You are loved.
Always Jesus’ resurrection is once and always God’s loving declaration that you are loved. You are loved and so is all of humanity. Always, resurrection is God’s love for each and every one of us.
So, look for signs of resurrection all around you and God’s loving declaration that you are loved!
This is the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ,
Thanks be to God, Amen.
(1) Petersen, Eugene, Practice Resurrection: A Conversation on Growing Up in Christ., 2010, 13.
New Testament Lesson: Philippians 4:15-23
You Philippians indeed know that in the early days of the gospel, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you alone. For even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me help for my needs more than once. Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the profit that accumulates to your account. I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God. And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The friends who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of the emperor’s household.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Gospel Lesson: Matthew 28:1-10
After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for 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, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Meditations For Your Week
Sunday, April 21 through Saturday, April 27
Sunday: “But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.” Matthew 28: 5-6 CHRIST THE LORD IS RISEN!
Monday: “And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it.” Matthew 28:2. Every time you wonder how will I go? How will I do? Watch and look! See if God doesn’t move even boulders!
Tuesday: “Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” Matthew 28:7 Who will you tell today about signs of the resurrection that you have seen?
Wednesday: “So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him.” Matthew 28: 8-9. Sometimes the very sight of Jesus is so incredible that we can hardly believe it. Pause today to reflect on experiencing Jesus.
Thursday: “I have been paid in full and have more than enough; I am fully satisfied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent, a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and pleasing to God..” Philippians 4:18. Prayerfully consider how you might be seeking anew contentment which Christ is showing you even now.
Friday: “And my God will fully satisfy every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19. Where have you seen signs of resurrection in the world?
Saturday: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Philippians 4: 23. May God’s grace be with you always.