Life Laid Down

How does faith in the risen Christ call one to live? What shape does one’s life take?

The readings for this fourth Sunday of Easter are rich in their imagery, and at the center is the image of the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep. Five times in eight short verses Jesus mentions laying down his life for the sake of the sheep.

The First Letter of John picks up the same theme: “We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us—and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?” (1 John 3:16-17). Laying down one’s life for another might take many forms, but it at least means this: extending help, as much as you are able, when another is in need.

A friend tells the story of her grandfather, a faithful man who earned a modest income. Each year when tax time rolled around, he was audited. According to tax records he earned so little and gave away so much. The astounded auditors questioned him, wondering why he gave so much of his income to the church. Incredulous, he responded, “You can’t outgive God.”

The Good Shepherd lays down his life for the sheep, and joined to the risen life of Christ, the lives of the baptized are shaped by generosity and sacrifice. Giving one’s life, resources, gifts, or whatever one holds most dear for the sake of another is both a witness to the love we have first been shown and an act of faith. Hearing Jesus’ words in this Easter season reminds us that laying down one’s life is not an act to be feared; rather, it is an act that defies death, as we trust that, washed in the waters of baptism, we already live in the resurrected life of Christ.

From Sundays and Seasons

Easter is a sunrise, a new beginning

Each dawn proclaims resurrection.  Every sunrise tells of a new beginning and all creation sings for joy.  From the start of time, Divine Creator, you painted each day with light, fashioned beauty from mountain heights to valley lows, and caused praise to whistle through trees and splash on seashores. When we took to hurrying through beauty, bruising each other, and taking blessings for granted, you sent Jesus to open our eyes to the new dawn and stir our dreams to a new beginning. Easter is our second chance; our try once more. For each new dawn is a resurrection gift, a possibility to deepen relationships, forgive ourselves and those near us, make peace, and share love.  Every sunrise rolls back the stone of doubt and lets the “Alleluia” loose. 

May Easter stay with you

An Easter blessing:

May all the joy and excitement of Easter stay with you.  May the power of Christ's resurrection stay with you.  May the good news of Easter stay with you.  May the promise and hope of Easter stay with you.  May you in the days ahead sing, pray, live, love, act, and serve all for the glory of God.

Be blessed as you go forth.

AMEN

Even when he is silent

In the midst of the pandemic we await a better day... of hugs, sharing the peace in community, singing together, celebrating with family and friends.  While we wait, here's a poem of faith:

“I believe in the sun
even when it is not shining
And I believe in love,
even when there’s no one there.
And I believe in God,
even when he is silent.

I believe through any trial,
there is always a way
But sometimes in this suffering
and hopeless despair
My heart cries for shelter,
to know someone’s there
But a voice rises within me, saying hold on
my child, I’ll give you strength,
I’ll give you hope. Just stay a little while.

I believe in the sun
even when it is not shining
And I believe in love
even when there’s no one there
But I believe in God
even when he is silent
I believe through any trial
there is always a way.

May there someday be sunshine
May there someday be happiness
May there someday be love
May there someday be peace….”

– Uknown

The story that goes with this poem is that it was found carved on a cellar wall in Germany.  Some say in a hiding place for Jews trying to escape the Holocaust.  Others say it was in a concentration camp in Cologne.  If you read it as written by a Jewish person in the midst of the horrors of WWII, the simple words are even more profound.  I have not found verification for the origins of the poem, but they do speak from a place of faith.  And we all need faith.  Hope.  Sunshine, happiness, love and peace.

This poes has been set to music by the Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen. You can hear a lovely rendition conducted by Anton Armstrong by clicking the link to YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYwYMngq4II

Where is Jesus, this strange Easter day?

A poem written Easter 2020 - and which unfortunately is even more true this Easter, 2021

Easter 2020, by Malcolm Guite

And where is Jesus, this strange Easter day?
Not lost in our locked churches, anymore
Than he was sealed in that dark sepulchre.
The locks are loosed; the stone is rolled away,
And he is up and risen, long before,
Alive, at large, and making his strong way
Into the world he gave his life to save,
No need to seek him in his empty grave.
 
He might have been a wafer in the hands
Of priests this day, or music from the lips
Of red-robed choristers, instead he slips
Away from church, shakes off our linen bands
To don his apron with a nurse: he grips
And lifts a stretcher, soothes with gentle hands
The frail flesh of the dying, gives them hope,
Breathes with the breathless, lends them strength to cope.

On Thursday we applauded, for he came
And served us in a thousand names and faces
Mopping our sickroom floors and catching traces
Of that corona which was death to him:
Good Friday happened in a thousand places
Where Jesus held the helpless, died with them
That they might share his Easter in their need,
Now they are risen with him, risen indeed.

Find Malcolm and his writings here:  https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/blog/