Lent Leads to Life

 

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and said to him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!” (which means Teacher).  John’s telling of Easter in chapter 20:16

 

On the other side of the empty tomb of Easter, Christ meets us.  In the garden where we weep with Mary over the losses we all encounter each day and the longings we have, Christ says our name.  When we hear the Holy speak our name, we are filled with a love that cannot be contained or controlled; instead, it takes the steering wheel of our life, setting us in a new direction and destination.  Easter is a beautiful mystery.  Easter is fragrant like lilies.  Easter is spine-tingling like brass playing as we sing out, “Christ the Lord is risen”.  Notice the present tense verb.  Easter is not some historical reenactment; it is a promise of each day.  With the rising of the sun or son, God offers us newness.  Today need not be like yesterday.  Our lives are infused and inspired with God’s unfinished work of reconciling love.  How might you practice Easter today, especially when there are no Peeps to eat or ham dinners to prepare or Easter eggs to color?  How might you practice resurrection, especially when the rest of the world is getting ready or has already gone back to school?  Let these questions interrupt your life, helping you realize that Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy Week, and Easter can be found anytime and every time we wake up to the One who is still at work in this world.  Amen.