April 16, 2017 Easter Sunday

Matthew 28:1-7 (The Message)

1 After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. 2 Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God's angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. 3 Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. 4 The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldn't move. 5 The angel spoke to the women: "There is nothing to fear here. I know you're looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. 6 He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed. 7 "Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, 'He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.' That's the message."

“Christianity begins with Easter.  Without Easter there would be no Gospel, not a single narrative, not a letter in the New Testament.  Without Easter, Christendom would have no belief in Christ, no proclamation of Christ, nor any Church, any divine worship, any mission.”   Hans Kung, “Eternal Life”, p. 107

The Resurrection created the church!  We celebrate this today with great fear - because it is always stunning, amazing, confounding, bewildering - this message which is so incomprehensible.  And we celebrate it with great joy - for it touches our hearts and lifts our spirits and gives hope to our living.  

Easter is vital to a vibrant faith and a vibrant church.  

Without it, we are of all people the most to be pitied.

Easter is a celebration of something new happening in this old world which forever changes things.  It is a powerful reminder that “God’s steadfast love endures for ever.” (Ps 136)

Easter is a love feast.

"The Resurrection tells us that

 at the heart and center of the

 universe, love is reigning”

Morton Kelsey

Prayer thought for the week:  “Lord, thank you for your incomprehensible act of love, which endures forever!”