EASTER SUNDAY--CHRIST IS RISEN!

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. Then the disciples went away again unto their own home.

“This is the day which the Lord hath made / let us rejoice and be glad in it”; Easter Day--a joyful day surpassing all our other days: Christ is Risen!

We with Mary, John, and Peter come to the tomb seeking the body of Jesus who was crucified. But, wonder of wonders, His tomb is empty. With His Resurrection, our own lives take on a new beginning! Yes, even here in 2022—our lives are brought fresh and renewed!

The Risen Christ is still with us every day of our lives. Our lives have been full of change--good times and bad times, happy and sad times, ones of sickness and health. In these COVID times, we want and pray for a medical miracle. We also desire political miracles and an end to violence. We are all full of expectations and overlook the greatest gift of all in Christ’s Resurrection. For this is the miracle of eternal life accomplished through the suffering and death of the Son of God.

But the Resurrection is something more. Through it we find renewed purpose in our lives: the seemingly meaninglessness of an empty world vanishes before our very eyes. The Resurrection is the heart and soul of our Christian faith. Our lives are marked out by our prayers and thanksgiving to our Saving God. Easter shakes us out of our blindness and restores and refreshes us by the strengthening of our faith.

We have gone the long journey with our Savior through the weeks of Lent and on into Holy Week. We have passed through His time of miracles and preaching, His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the betrayal, the trial, and the terrible sufferings of the Crucifixion. But now we have reached the beloved empty tomb and know He is with us again having passed through the portals of death into a glorious Resurrection.

We in the Anglican Church Worldwide are blessed with being members in the great Body of Christ, which He established by His holy Resurrection. As we gather together we know He is with us today and everyday.