Sunday, April 20 - Easter Sunday

“Dear little blossoms just waking up 

Violet, daisy and buttercup 

Waking to say in the own sweet way 

Jesus has risen today.”

I remember singing this hymn as a child in Sunday School on Easter. I sing it still each Easter with my grandchildren.

If a seed can become a flower—a cocoon a butterfly—an acorn a tree—an egg a robin; all is changing, all is becoming. I believe I’m a spiritual being in human form and that being will live on, even into the unknowing. Here is what RESURRECTION means to me.

Redemption 

Even for me 

Sacrifice for my salvation 

Unbelievable compassion 

Renewing all 

Reconciliation 

Eternal life 

Crucified for me 

Tell it to the world 

I know that my Redeemer lives 

Offering His life 

New beginning of birth

If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit that dwells in you. (Romans 8:11)

Kaye White

Saturday, April 19 - Easter Vigil

All of you, have unity of spirit, sympathy, love of the brethren, a tender heart and a humble mind . . . for to this you have been called. . . . 

Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the un- righteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit. (1 Peter 3:8-9; 18)

Married at the age of 34, I felt like the "Golden Girl" when my perspective on life suddenly changed. My husband was diagnosed with serious skin cancer. Immediately, he was placed under the care of a skilled surgeon at a local hospital.

As I recovered from this sudden change, life took on a different perspective. I felt compassion for all individuals as I realized the temporary span of life for all of us. Suddenly, a strength came within me. It gave me a power which I could not comprehend. It was beyond my own understanding. It was an amazing spiritual gift.

Buoyed by this spirit, I was enabled to meet life-challenges with a sense of joy. My husband was in a hospital room on the first floor, adjacent to a landscaped outdoor patio with benches and tables. After clearance from the nursing staff in order to assure that bourbon cocktails would not interfere with any prescribed medication, I delivered a thermos of iced Manhattan cocktail with an extra glass for my husband's hospital roommate. The three of us celebrated the gift of life, skilled medical staff, and the pathway to restored health.

Now, many years later, all is well. My faith has become "deeper!" 

Miriam Calhoun

Friday, April 18 - Good Friday

Resurrection is a hard concept to understand on this side of it.... 

It is LIKE a LOT of things...

A broken piece of glass returning to ocean shores as a welcome gift, 

No longer sharp and hurtful, but soft and beautiful.

It is like a seed buried in the dirt 

And, if not scooped up by the birds nearby, 

Becoming something entirely new 

Not looking like the original seed at all, 

Growing, quickly or very, very slowly, 

Contributing something to the earth, 

Giving flowers, fruits, shade.

Or, we might say, resurrection is like the worm 

Hiding in its silken clothes, 

Breaking forth in time, flying, colorful, 

A worm no longer, but moth or butterfly.

But the resurrection we are promised is so much beyond these things, 

So much beyond our grasping. 

Life we have never known, could not know, could not imagine.

If Jesus had not lived the kind of life he lived – 

Of courage, kindness, truthfulness, healing- 

His death might have gone unnoticed. 

He died for us he said,

Not just died, but suffered and died, 

Very dead, no chance of a mistake about it.

But remarkably he rose again. 

Dark hour turned to incredible hope. 

Come along with me, He says, for, 

”God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

So it is a good idea, no matter when or how our darkest hours come, 

To try as much as possible, 

To live life as if we are going to live forever..

By God’s grace, life everlasting. Resurrection.

Fran Peale

Thursday, April 17 - Maundy Thursday

              THE OLD MAN IN THE PARK

There’s an old man sitting on a bench in the park. 

A scruffy dog by his feet, on his lips a witty remark. 

Not a tooth in his mouth, but he smiles anyway. 

And if you ask him why, this is what he will say:

“I have a song in my head, and a smile on my face. 

I have lived a full life of both sorrow and grace. 

I have love so plenty, and stories to share. 

And I live my life without a worry or care.”

His wrinkles are a map of a long, lasting life. 

Of hard work, three sons, and a now deceased wife. 

His hearing may be bad, and his vision turning grey. 

But if you ask him, this is what he will say:

“I have seen my share of wonders, my friend, 

And I will hear the songs in my heart to the end. 

So what need have I for these senses, I ask? 

If they fail me, my memories shall rise to the task.”

The old dog by his side gives a soft little whine. 

Licking his hand as if to tell him it is time. 

He smiles and stands, shakes my hand for goodbye. 

Then wanders off with a twinkle in his eye.

There’s a young man sitting on a bench in the park. 

Sitting in silence as it slowly grows dark. 

He is crying quietly, though he smiles anyway. 

And if you ask him why, this is what he will say:

“Our father brought us here when we were just boys. 

He’d tell us stories, and we’d play with our toys. 

Now he is gone, but memories remain 

And remembering helps soothe the pain.”

So sometimes I sit upon the bench beneath the shade. 

Contemplating the light of life, and how it will fade. 

I remember the words the old man used to say. 

And though I am sad, I smile anyway.

For I have a song in my head, and a smile upon my face. 

I am living a full life of both sorrow and grace. 

I am loving and caring, and once I grow old, 

I will have plenty of stories of my own to be told.

Keirry Hargis (Age 13)

Wednesday, April 16

I believe in the Resurrection. I’m sharing a hymn I love. Fanny Crosby (1820-1915) wrote this and over 7000 hymns in her lifetime, although she was blind. Perhaps you know and love this, too.

SOME DAY THE SILVER CORD WILL BREAK

Some day the silver cord will break, 

And I no more as now shall sing; 

But oh, the joy when I shall wake 

Within the palace of the King!

Refrain 

And I shall see Him face to face, 

And tell the story—Saved by grace; 

And I shall see Him face to face, 

And tell the story—Saved by grace.

Some day my earthly house will fall. 

I cannot tell how soon ’twill be; 

But this I know—my All in All 

Has now a place in Heav’n for me. 

Refrain

Some day, when fades the golden sun 

Beneath the rosy tinted west, 

My blessèd Lord will say, “Well done!” 

And I shall enter into rest.

Refrain

Some day, till then I’ll watch and wait, 

My lamp all trimmed and burning bright, 

That when my Savior opens the gate, 

My soul to Him may take its flight. 

Refrain

I believe that on December 14, 2012, the twenty children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, CT were ushered into His presence and live in glory with our Creator and Redeemer, along with all of the loved ones who have gone before us.

Ruthie Charlton

Tuesday, April 15

I chose April 15 because my son was born on this day, fifty years ago. Giving birth to a new life is a metaphor for resurrection, but I didn't have a clue at twenty seven about the responsibility and how it would change my life forever. The great gift of age is to grow wise (if we are awake!) Birth and death and baptism and resurrection are all mysteries – archetypes in theme, so “As we were buried, therefore, with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4

Prayer: Lord, make me ever mindful that Your will for me is resurrection and help me to walk daily in that grace filled knowledge for the rest of my days on earth and into heaven.

Pat Wilson

Monday, April 14

I can remember the first time I ever questioned who was this Jesus, everyone talked about. My mother, father, and older brother and I attended church every Sunday morning at a small Methodist church in West Virginia where I was born and raised. I also have a younger sister but she wasn’t born yet. The church was the only one in the community so everyone who went to church attended ours. We lived close enough to hear the church bells ringing and usually we would walk to church.

Upon entering the church, my mother would lead me to my Sunday school class. My older brother would go to another classroom with kids in his age group. When she was sure I was settled in, she would join my father in the main sanctuary for preaching. During class we did a lot of coloring, eating cookies and listening to bible stories about some guy called Jesus. I had fun coloring and making little wooden crosses, but I just never understood why Jesus never showed up for church. I remember hearing people say this is where Jesus lived and this was his house of worship.

Both of my parents worked in a hand blown glass factory. The factory produced beautiful glassware that was sold in markets all over the US and some overseas markets. Almost everyone in our community worked there. In addition to working at the factory, my father was part-time janitor at the church on Saturdays. Sometimes I would go with him and he would have me dust the pews and do other small chores. The church had enough seating for about 75 people. In the center of the church was a black potbelly iron stove that put out a lot of heat when the weather was cold. One chilly Saturday morning while we were cleaning, my father decided to make a fire. We were sitting in front of the fire warming ourselves chatting away when out of the clear blue I said, “Dad, where is Jesus? Why doesn’t he clean his own house?” His reply was, “Son, Jesus is no longer alive but he lives in our hearts. He was sent here by his Father as an example for us. He wants us to love one another and treat everyone like we want to be treated.”

As I grew older and watched how my parents worked hard and raised my siblings and me, I began to understand that they were living their faith as good Christian people.

Now I often reflect on that moment I had with my father in church and what an impact that has made on my life. My parents were loving, honest and hardworking, and set a wonderful example for me. We were not rich with material things, but we were rich with all the love that they gave their children.  Being a child who has been given the opportunity to learn moral values through my parents’ example is what resurrection means to me.

Jack Myers

Sunday, April 13 - Palm Sunday

The procession through the city was a super high for Jesus and his followers, and the disciples and the others who thought they knew him. But had they been listening? Had they heard “The temple will be torn down but be built back up in three days?” And did he not say, “Now you see me, but then you will not see me, then again you will see me.”

After the procession and the cheering, comes the Passover meal with its warnings, Gethsemane, the cross, the tomb. And they are deflated, defeated, scattered and scared. Then the women report, Peter and John see the tomb, a stranger on the road; bread broken, and Christ walks through the door into the upper room.

Resurrection!

Over the years prior and since, men have been credited with a religious sea change, Siddhartha Gautama (Buddah), Abram, Moses, Zoroaster, Muhammad. And Yahushua bar Yosef, Jesus. Only He is alive again; the rest dead and buried. And acknowledged by his followers as living still.

Even His friend Lazarus, dead and buried for three days, and brought forth by Christ, died again and was buried. (John: 11: 38-44)

Many of the writings in this booklet deal with life changes as “resurrections;” changes in life, theirs or as seen in others. New lives to be lived. As I have helped Kaye edit this, our sixth Lenten Reflections, I have reread many of the meditations; I suggest you do likewise. A few I suggest: Paul Hanson, Gary Kimmel, Jeff Edwards, Pat Wilson, Leckie Connors, John Lenhart, Tim and Roisin McKeithan, Fran MacEachan, and Lilias Morrison.

As we begin this day of Holy Week, I pray you will find your new beginning of life in the services, prayers, and the journey we start this day marching into the church with palms.

We all have ups, and crashes, and our faith in the healing power of God, asking in Jesus’ name, brings us to new life, if we ask, if we let it.

Perry White

Saturday, April 12

                   Resurrection ... it’s a daily happening!

5:50 a.m.  I am Dead to the World.

5:55 a.m.  Radio calls me to enter Life. 

               The World of Non Being is cozy and undemanding. 

               I resist the Call. 

               News, issues, music ... beckon me to the real world. 

               But not strongly enough! How to get up, enter the day?

               From beyond and within, faint at first and strengthening 

               the Life Force brings me into the day, 

               raises me up and out ... Circulation increases... 

               I think of Bergson’s Elan Vital - lively, dancing energy 

               Filling oneself, filling all things, all creation.

               I hear the birds sing, wind in the trees, perhaps rain. 

               A mirage of people, plans, possibilities, hovers. 

               The Life Force, Elan Vital, energizing grace from beyond

               fills me, causes me to embrace life and the challenges of the day.

               Now ... out and about!

                  Resurrection! It’s a daily happening.

               One goes forth as part of the resurrection community 

               in the world with the grace and power of Jesus Risen 

               embedded in one’s deepest spirit commissioning us 

               to make the kingdom present now...in the every day... 

               making the ordinary extraordinary!

               Go away dark thoughts, negative impulses, destructive doubt! 

               Yes, I can with God’s help!

                 The prayer of Rupert before the Battle of Naseby:

              ‘O Lord, I shall be very busy this day. 

               If I forget thee, do not Thou forget me.’

Lilias Morrison

Friday, April 11

RESURRECTION REMINDERS

With the passing of Winter and the last icy chill of the season, crocuses peek through the ground. A parade of daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths follow, returning from their death-sleep. Buds on trees emerge, proclaiming the cycle of life goes on. In the wild animals give birth. A soft, warm breeze whispers of new beginnings.

The return of Spring reminds me of Christ's resurrection from death and triumphant return to the living. The coming of Spring is God's way of saying to us, "Look around! The Miracle of Resurrection is happening in the rebirth of nature."

This special time of year, when we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ, quickens my spirit and restores my soul. I am reassured that the promise of a better life after death will be fulfilled:

1st Peter 1: 3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you; (New International Version)

Beth Errickson

Thursday, April 10

WHAT DOES RESURRECTION MEAN TO ME?

We replaced three hollow plywood doors leading into our bedroom with six panel, solid wood doors to match a fourth solid wood six panel door. One of the plywood hollow doors had a hole in it which we had ignored for the fifteen years we had lived in this house. After we replaced the doors with the six panel solid doors, I realized I was surrounded with physical symbols of Christ’s presence. When I look at one of those doors, I see a large cross. The circle, another shape I find everywhere, represents God in our lives. For me the cross within the circle symbolizes the Resurrection of Jesus and God as one.

Elton John sings these words in the song, Circle of Life, from The Lion King. “It’s the Circle of Life and it moves us all, through despair and hope, through faith and love, till we find our place, on the path unwinding in the Circle, the Circle of Life.” In a mother’s Day card which I made at an unknown but young age, I began, “Dear Mom, I am glad you asked me to pray because it has helped me. I can do my homework a lot better.” Paul writes in Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

I have come full circle in my life, back to a daily practice of prayer. Each time I walk through and touch one of the many six panel solid wood doors in my home, or I look at a simple shape such as the top of a bottle of Bayer aspirin, I am reminded to pray, and my faith in the Resurrection of Jesus is reaffirmed.

Fran MacEachan 

(Carol Sparks’ Sister) 

(Maker of quilt in Sanctuary)

Wednesday, April 9

Luke 24:6 "He is not here; he has risen."

Acts 24:15 "...and I hold the same hope in God as they do that there will be a resurrection of good men and bad men alike."

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian faith; without it there is naught but the teachings of a good man of God - a prophet - who brought the message that the center of human purpose is love of God and of all humankind.

To me, the truth of the resurrection is most clearly evidenced by the actions of His followers in the days after the crucifixion: a band of despairing men, criminalized by association, who scattered from the scene became a cohort of disciples who preached the new gospel often with the reward of painful death.

We too have been promised a resurrection. But specifically what and where remains a mystery of faith. To the biblical writers, the known world was very limited, and heaven and hell nearby. Even to the savants of the day, the cosmos was limited to the sun, moon, a few nearer planets, and the vault of heaven. Now we are told of a universe which consists of multi-billions of stars in unnumbered galaxies incomprehensible distances from us, speeding away from one another into an undefined vastness. And this is just our universe; it is postulated that there are other universes also.

So, our God - the God of Abraham, is He the god of this world? Our solar system? Our galaxy? Our universe? Of all that is? As our knowledge expands, so too must our understanding of God enlarge and of resurrection refine. I don't see Heaven as some sort of Elysian field on some distant planet with bubbling waters; rather we rejoin the Spirit which is God with, I trust, our sense of personality which is the sum of our memories.

Dick Calhoun

Tuesday, April 8

THE RESURRECTED CHRIST

When we talk about resurrection in Church, our minds and thoughts are drawn to our Savoir Jesus Christ as ‘he rose from the dead’; the Resurrection of Christ.

As I prepared for this exercise, I began to see resurrection as an ongoing occurrence; one that is not just a single event in time and in our faith. Certainly our belief and faith are rooted in the words of Christ, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.”

In no way is my reflection meant to take away from the power of Christ’s words and the deep meaning of those words. However, Jesus and the Bible have always told me a story, and the story always has a message and the message is timeless. My belief in God is strengthened when I can apply everyday experiences to what we learn and study in Church. I see resurrection in my life every day, sometimes it is personal, sometimes in my family, and sometimes I observe it in our Community. Jesus rose from the dead to be ‘with us’ and by being with us, by holding us in his arms, we are given the strength to serve Him and our fellow man. Look around in our own Church, Room at the Inn; we are led to this ministry because of God, because of the teachings of Jesus. Jesus rose from the dead to be with us, his resurrection assures us of our faith and we serve. I see outreach every day in our Community, scores of organizations, hundreds of people all coming together to serve the less fortunate. I believe it is through Christ’s resurrection, that we have our faith and our calling to help those in need. Personally, I pray every day and wait for a resurrection in my own family, bringing my Prodigal son home.

The resurrected Christ is in each one of us. I feel a Resurrection and a re-birth in times of great adversity and challenge. As I work for the people of this great County and we experience a disaster of some description, I am blessed by the two events I witness. First the unselfish out pouring of love and support from our Community to those that have been affected, secondly those who are affected by disaster have a great strength. When faced with the challenge, it is they who give comfort to those of us who gather to comfort them. God is good! As one of God’s children walking on this earth, I experience a Resurrection every day, and you can too.

Warren Judge

Monday, April 7

RESURRECTION IN IRELAND

My Mother died at the much too early age of 62, after a long, painful bout with breast cancer. Her illness was so difficult and protracted that my Father chose to take time off from his job; insisting in being the sole caregiver. When Mom died, he seemed completely lost. Dad did not bounce back to his pleasant, easy going self; he was in a dark place and was not doing any better after several months.

Roisin and I were planning a trip to Ireland to visit her family & friends. We asked Dad to come with us because the change of scenery might be good for him. We were thrilled when he agreed, since he did not enjoy traveling. I have always felt that he agreed to go with us because he realized that he had to do something to break out of his despair.

As soon as we landed in Dublin, Dad’s spirits seemed to soar. He started to come alive, enjoying the company of Roisin’s family and friends. He was pleasant and witty; quickly returning to his old self. The trip was truly a resurrection for my Father, lifting him from the darkest depths of depression he was suffering from my Mother’s death. After this trip to Ireland Dad had a renewed outlook on life.

I am convinced that this trip was the point in his life where he broke out of his devastation over Mom’s death and bounced back to lead a productive and full life for an additional 15 years. My Father was popular and upbeat; it had been so sad to see him down and depressed. After “The Trip,” everyone in the community and his Church rejoiced at his recovery.

This is my clearest memory of seeing God’s healing work. 

Tim McKeithan

Sunday, April 6 - Fifth Sunday in Lent

Luke 19:1-10 tells of a tax collector named Zaccheus whose life changed after Jesus came through his town. According to the story, there was a crowd gathered and Zaccheus, as curious as the others about who and what this man might be, climbed a tree to get a better view, because he was a short guy and couldn’t see over all those heads.

A friend of mine once suggested that Zaccheus might have had a secondary motive in climbing the tree. Perhaps his idea of a “better view” of Jesus included obscurity for himself. He was, after all, a “bad guy” in the perception of the people and most likely in reality as well; tax collectors were unwelcome at best, with broad opportunities for graft. As my friend put it, “perhaps for Zaccheus personally, the Good News threatened to be bad news.”

If hiding from Jesus was, indeed, part of his plan, it didn’t work for Zaccheus any better than it does for the rest of us. Jesus went right up to that tree, spoke to him, and even invited himself to his house. Busted! The masses, of course, found plenty to gossip about in that. But for Zaccheus the news was Good after all, as he was accepted as a worthy man and freed up to meet his potential as such.

There are many examples in traditions, literature, and our very own lives when bad news turns into Good. Some unwelcome events become huge blessings in disguise. Others bring significant loss, but even tragedy holds the potential for Good. Time for adjusting must be respected, but it seems we start seeing and living into the Good that is always there as we are able to stop resisting the change.

Leckie Conners

Saturday, April 5

 WHAT DOES THE RESURRECTION MEAN TO ME?

Good question and one that I have thought about and struggled with for a long time. It seems that as a matter of definition, belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ is what distinguishes a Christian from a follower of Jesus. An issue that I have pondered is whether one must believe in his or her personal resurrection in order to be resurrected in spirit or however/whatever life everlasting may be or mean. Of course, belief in this context is more accurately described as faith, and we have learned that faith is a gift from the Holy Spirit.

Interestingly, the last phrase of the Nicene Creed states: “We look for the resurrection of the dead...” This is more a statement of hope rather than belief. But maybe concern over personal resurrection is misplaced. I understand Father Tom teaches that the resurrection of Jesus changed or provided the opportunity for entering into communion with God and our “fellow travelers.” I cannot resolve the theological fine points, but I believe the meaning of the resurrection is not that with faith we might live forever, but that being a true, constant and devoted follower of Jesus, that is to say loving God and our neighbors as ourselves, is the path to the “treasure buried in the field.” Find the treasure and your personal resurrection is at hand.

I pray that I, and all of us, may find God’s treasure in the resurrection.

Ron DeVeau

Friday, April 4

THE OLD MAN’S GARDEN

The overgrown garden stood sentient, surrounded by cement, chain link fencing, and brick walls. From the second story window of his house across the street, the withered old man looked down at the garden and sighed before returning to his bed. The door opened, and the old man’s son entered. When the son had finished spooning soup into his father’s mouth, he asked if there was anything else for him to do. The old man turned to him and, in a hushed voice, asked that he please go and tend to the garden.

The son, knowing how close his father was to death, took his word and went to the garden the next morning. He wrestled with the gate, which was bound by vines. When he got through the gate, he found himself in grass that reached his waist, and his ankles were constantly scratched by thorns. Everything in the garden was drooping, pulled down by weeds or ivy. The son exhaled, and then took the shovel he had over his shoulder and began to work. For months, the boy worked in the garden, constantly bent over vines he was pulling out of the ground, digging out the roots of the most invasive plants, and supporting and nursing every good plant that remained. Each day, the old man would look out of his window and smile before returning to his bed.

When the son’s work was finally completed, he placed a single mustard seed in the center of the garden. The father saw him do this through the window, smiled, and returned to his bed, still smiling. The boy went into the house, washed his hands, and went to go and tell his father that his work was completed. Upon entering the bedroom, however, he found that his father had breathed his last. Three days later, with tear stained cheeks, the son buried his father in the garden, beside the mustard seed.

Seven years later, the son stood with his wife and children, pushing the smallest on a swing that hung from the strong and healthy mustard tree. He glanced up at the second story window and assured his father that in the garden, all was well.

Lauren White 

Senior 

St. Johns College High School 

Washington, D.C.

Thursday, April 3

RESURRECTION 

The rock I stand on is the only one

it will not fall away.

The wave I ride

will carry me to the shore.

The dreams of good

will manifest themselves,

Look to the sky

as the clouds

they reinvent themselves.

He who died for me,

came back

in quiet dedication to all mankind.

I wait for his cleansing breath

and a whisper in my ear.

I did this for you.

Gretchen Hargis

Wednesday, April 2

RESURRECTION : Lodestar of our Christian existence. 

From the historical event to daily occurrence.

Without the Resurrection, no early Christian community, 

No Church ... and a very different Western World. 

So did it actually happen? 

New terminology invigorates our experience.

“This Jesus whom you crucified ... 

God has raised from the dead ... 

Of which we are witnesses.“

The Garden, Galilee, Emmaus, Jerusalem - 

Not just sightings; interaction, contact.

GOD,

Source and Giver of life, Lifeforce and Energizer, Raised Jesus into recognizable, interactive bodily form. God is no Impersonal Force. Through Jesus’ life, God made ‘himself’ known as healer, teacher and revealer of truth, empowerer and dispenser of grace to all. God’s creative power and life force raised Jesus to a new level of being, recognizable and interactive to disciples, friends and family. More precise details remain a mystery!*

THE WITNESSES

of the Resurrection encountered and interacted with Jesus in his risen form.  Jesus Risen radiated the same Lifeforce,

transforming energy, ‘the Spirit ‘ to the Witnesses themselves. Through the coming, ‘descent,’ of the Spirit when they were all together in Jerusalem, the experience of the Witnesses spread among all the followers of Jesus. Like Jesus, the disciples, family and friends, did wonderful things. They were empowered to act and speak beyond their customary capabilities and transform lives around them.

JESUS LIVES

The Witnesses became a community; a common bond, the energizing Spirit of Jesus Risen, joined them together. As the ‘ Body’ of Christ, they celebrated Jesus’ life, teaching , death and resurrection, encouraging those they encountered to participate in the same transforming experience.

Lively Christian communities, ecclesia, continued to spread the news of the Gospel, good tidings, to those around and to those beyond - westward across the north and south Mediterranean and eastward via the caravan routes.

Jesus, the Risen Christ, revealer of God, continued to be dynamically present among all the followers – and has down through the Ages. Through Christian communities, known collectively as the Church, the Body of Christ, Jesus lives today in us, through us and thus present in the world.

The Lifeforce, transforming energy of the Resurrection empowers us today!

*(At present we do not have a scientific description or model of this. But science has developed a range of concepts to approach

definition.)

Lilias Morrison

Tuesday, April 1

The Resurrection means to me that God, whom Jesus and the Jews called “Father,” raised Jesus from the dead because Jesus had spent his short life “doing good” (Acts 10:38), even though this had cost him his life. Therefore, as St. Paul wrote, God had exalted him and given him a name to be universally recognized and honored (Philippians 2:6-11). For Jesus is still alive in the lives of many who have been stirred by his teachings and inspired by the example of his life.

This is important to me, and not the bodily resurrection of Jesus, which has been an argument to deny his Jewishness, and which has not been able to inspire believers to stop wars, deceit, crimes of pride and greed, and so forth. For as long as Christians have held that all they had to do was believe in a risen Jesus who would save them from eternal damnation when the time came, they did not have to change anything, really, in their own lives. To exclaim, on Easter, “The Lord is risen,” calling forth the reply, “He’s risen, indeed!” does not mean anything to me. But the raising of the spirit and example of Jesus in my own life – this has meaning to me. For, as Crossan wrote, “Bodily resurrection means that the embodied life and death of the historical Jesus continue to be experienced, by believers, as powerfully efficacious and salvifically present in this world. That life continued, as it always had, to form communities of like lives.”

Ignacio Gotz