Pastor’s Page

It always amazes me how quickly we want to finish a celebration and get on to what is next in life. The proclamation of Easter does not end with Easter Sunday: That is only the beginning. The Easter season, known as Easter Time, is celebrated for 50 days. It culminates with the celebration of Jesus’ ascension into heaven, and Pentecost, which marks the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles and birthday of the Church.

The problem is, all the Easter candy and bunnies and baskets are gone from the stores, even the half price stuff. The culture is moving on to whatever is next on the consumer schedule. So how do we as followers of Christ, the resurrected Christ, maintain the Easter spirit of the season?

Easter joy is kindled in the heart as we stay close to the risen Jesus through Word and sacrament. Easter joy is joy to share as we live our lives reflecting the love of Jesus.

Jesus is alive. He is risen. That fact will not change under any circumstance. It cannot change. So, here are some practical tips to help you keep Easter alive, even if they’re not terribly creative.

• Spend a few moments in personal reflection at least once a week for the next several weeks. Think about why the resurrection is important to you. Think about the difference Christ has already made in your life. No need to get highly emotional about it (but it’s okay if you do). Just think about it.

• Read the resurrection story from each of the Gospels at least one time for the next four weeks. They’re all slightly different so you can hear the story from different angles. The passages are… Matthew 28:1-10, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, and John 20:1-18.

• BE the image of God where you are. The resurrection of Jesus is the evidence that God has begun the process of restoring creation and establishing His Kingdom, just as Jesus announced. We were created to reflect His goodness and majesty. We were created “in His image.” As Christians, we are the image of God when we love peopleunconditionally in the power of God’s Spirit. Who needs your love today? Who needs to see the Person, the glory, and the love of God in you today?

 

Keeping Easter alive is a choice each of us makes. It is not always an emotion and it isn’t wildly new. But it is real and it’s something we can allow to settle into our hearts and actions. As we do, the reality of Jesus’ resurrection will live on long after Easter weekend!