I went to the early morning Easter Communion service today at my neighbourhood Anglican parish church.
The early morning Easter service is always a wonderful reminder of the passing from darkness into light. As our vicar reminded us, traditional churches remain dark from the end of the Maundy Thursday service through to Easter morning, whether that be at a daybreak or early morning service.
The light returns via the Paschal candle, which is lit following a prayer. The acolyte then lights the other candles from the flame of the Paschal candle.
John’s Gospel has a recurring theme of darkness and light. The risen Christ is, indeed, that Light.
Our vicar gave a moving sermon, encouraging us to think of the Resurrection as a living reality, whereby not only our souls but also our mortal bodies will once again be reunited in glorious perfection one day.
He pointed out that Christianity is the only religion that offers life after death. This is what Jesus accomplished through His resurrection, which we celebrate at Easter.
The vicar’s sermon was a moving one, as he is a convert from another world faith. He implored us not to turn the Resurrection into an intellectual or historical exercise, because it will be a very real experience when the time comes. He also exhorted us not to view Jesus as a mere historical good example of a life well lived, but as our Saviour and Redeemer.
I thought about the vicar’s sermon for most of the day whilst occupied with gentle pursuits: caring for God’s creation in the garden and preparing a suitable, satisfying Easter dinner of roast lamb.
Our vicar’s sermon made me wish that Easter were more than just one day. Whilst we are now in Easter Week, there are no modern readings by which to remember our Lord’s resurrection for the next six days.
As each year passes, I long for a more fulsome celebration and remembrance of the Resurrection. We sing the beautiful and joyous Easter hymns only one day a year.
For some of us, our recollection of the Resurrection ends up being a fleeting one.
However, it does not need to be this way.
An Evangelical pastor in California, the Revd James A Fowler of Christ In You Ministries in Fallbrook, has written a beautiful series of sermons on the meaning of the Resurrection and its impact. I hope that you will read the following posts in the coming week and reflect upon his considered, thought-provoking messages about what he terms Resurrection theology:
Remembering the reality of the risen Christ
Are we bypassing the risen Christ?
A call for Resurrection theology
Christianity IS the Risen Christ
Unlocking the meaning of the Gospel
The extension of the risen Christ
A Lutheran (Missouri Synod) pastor has also reflected similarly upon the Resurrection in the context of people’s anger with the Church. This, too, is guaranteed to get us thinking about our sin and the purpose of the Crucifixion as well as our Lord’s rising from the dead in eternal glory — for us:
A Lutheran application of Resurrection theology
I hope that you will join me in contemplating Resurrection Theology, even when it is not stated in those terms.
Christ our Lord is risen. He is risen, indeed.
Once again, readers, happy Easter.
May the blessings of the risen Christ be with us today and always. Amen.
6 comments
April 21, 2019 at 11:29 pm
Jan Phillips
Amen, Churchmouse!!! Christ is risen!! He lives!! He lives in us every day!!! Tomorrow is just as exciting as today!!!
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April 22, 2019 at 12:19 am
churchmouse
Thank you very much, Jan.
‘He lives in us every day!!! Tomorrow is just as exciting as today!!!’ If more people remembered that, our world — not to mention our souls — would be in a much better situation right now.
Hope you had a good Easter.
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April 22, 2019 at 12:20 am
Jan Phillips
It was wonderful!! And I hope yours was, also!
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April 22, 2019 at 12:21 am
churchmouse
It beat my already high expectations, thank you!
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April 22, 2019 at 11:09 am
NoblemanWarrior
Very good insights. I certainly agree. Living within that reality is something that continues to gently convict me as well. Surprised by Hope by N.T. Wright is also very good to read along these lines. Blessings.
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April 22, 2019 at 12:13 pm
churchmouse
Blessings to you as well, brother.
Thank you for sharing your personal experience.
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