Today is Easter Sunday, the Christian tradition’s celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. Churches all over the world proclaim “Alleluia, He is risen!” This day, more than any other, is the cornerstone of faith for many…the very existence of Easter speaks to the human soul’s experience of surprise, of amazement, of miracle–and of new life. The gospel of Matthew tells of Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary” going early in the morning to visit the tomb where Jesus was buried. They found that Jesus’ body was not there. We read that an angel appeared and told them “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here…” As the women run to tell their friends, they meet Jesus, who also tells them “Do not be afraid…”
Some days ago, I attended a workshop at the Quaker retreat center Pendle Hill (www.pendlehill.org) that was led by Carrie Newcomer (www.carrienewcomer.com) and Faith Hawkins. The workshop focused on the practice of Midrash, or asking questions of sacred texts. As our gathered community broke open holy writings and shared questions and retold sacred stories, we saw how holiness appears when we bear witness to each other’s lives, to each other’s stories, to each other’s sorrows and joys and hopes and dreams. We talked about how the act of witnessing, hearing, seeing each other brought awareness of the holiness that is all around us all the time. I left Pendle Hill with a heart filled with yearning to carry the holy, to share the sacred.
Apparent Grace is standing before us on this Easter day. The Holy Is. The paradox of Easter is that we are invited to “see” not only what “is”, but today what “is not.” We see holiness and we see absence of death; we see resurrection and we run to tell those we love.
Our world is filled with those who are waiting for hope, waiting for healing, waiting to be seen and heard into holiness. When we proclaim “Alleluia” today, let us remember to carry Grace within our hearts to the world in which we live. Let us dare to be fearless and to tell others “Do not be afraid…” Let us proclaim new life, in our own hearts and to others…may we live and breathe this day and all our days in the knowledge of our holy connectedness, to each other and to Spirit and to life itself.
Happy Easter…may you know joy and peace in this holy time of new life!
Alleluia ! Thank you for sharing this post and the love you have in your heart. I feel closer to home and connected this Easter morning after reading what you have shared. I pray that I am a witness to His love and grace while here with my sister-in-law and two nephews. The Lord has led me to be with them this Easter in order to shower them with His love and grace. There are many amongst us that are believers but also need to be reminded how great His love is. Difficult times can lead us to wondering “why me” or “why us”… until another shares their experience, strength and hope, sometimes we remain stuck and without hope. Gods grace shines so brightly when we allow ourselves to open up with others, as well as listen to them. May we all sing praises to Him this Easter Sunday and each day of our lives, as we walk
In His light and love,
Janice