March 31, 2024 – Easter Sunday

“That day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” They said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before G*d and all the people, and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up t be condemned to death, and crucified him. It is now the third day since this happened. Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.” Luke 24:13ff

What is your focus on this Easter Sunday? Do you focus on the risen Christ? Do you focus on the empty tomb? Do you focus on the egg hunt that you have to plan, or the family members coming over to eat? Do you focus on the chocolate Easter Bunny that you bought, and whether you should eat the ears or the feet first? The Orthodox Church Icon of the Resurrection shows Jesus stepping into the abyss – Christ entering hell to preach to those who had died until his defeat of death. This act is chronicled in 1 Peter 3:19 – and of course we make reference to it every time we repeat the words of the Apostle’s Creed. The description of the Icon mentions the fact that Christ is stepping through the threshold of what can be seen on either side of the cross, which is the means of his death but also of life for all believers.

As believers, we all stand on the cross of Christ – or another way to talk about the centrality of the cross is to say that we stand in the shadow of the cross. Either way, today we should be focused on the Cross of Christ – not as a means of putting a negative spin on this most joyous Sunday, but for the joy that begins with the fact that there would be no empty tomb if there was no cross. Today, as you raise your voice to shout “Alleluia, Christ is Risen” – remember the centrality of the cross in your life – and then live into the joy of the resurrection.

Pastor Dave

March 29, 2024 – Good Friday

“Now when it was noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. Around three oʼclock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When some of the bystanders heard it they said, “Listen, he is calling for Elijah!” Then someone ran, filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Leave him alone! Letʼs see if Elijah will come to take him down!” But Jesus cried out with a loud voice and breathed his last. And the temple curtain was torn in two, from top to bottom. Now when the centurion, who stood in front of him, saw how he died, he said, “Truly this man was Godʼs Son!” Mark 15:33-39

On this day in my congregation we will participate in a Tenebrae Service – or traditionally known as a service of light. Tenebrae is Latin for “shadows” or “darkness”. It is used to recreate the emotions of the events of Good Friday. Any opportunity we have to take a full day and remember the Cross of Jesus Christ and the centrality the cross is to have in our lives is a good day – something good to do on Good Friday.

Why is it called Good Friday? There is no clear answer of the origin of “Good” Friday. Some say it comes from the phrase “G-d’s Friday”. That seems reasonable. But others point to the fact that what Christ did for all of humanity was so “Good”, that even though it involves his death on a cross, it is Good for all people. There are many ways to honor the day of Good Friday. Some congregations hold a service from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm – the traditional hours that Christ hung on the cross. During those three hours, sermons are delivered on the seven last words of Christ. Those seven last words from the Gospels include:

“Father Forgive, for they do not know what they are doing.”

“Today you will be with me in Paradise”

“Woman here is your son; son here is your Mother”

“My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me”

“I am thirsty”

“It is Finished”

“Father, Into Your hands I commend my Spirit”

So, with so many options, do something good, and attend a Good Friday service today. After all, G-d is Good all of the time.

Pastor Dave

March 30, 2024 – Holy Saturday   

Easter Saturday and the service that is offered on this day is one of the best services of the entire year, and yet so few people attend an Easter Saturday or Easter Vigil (as it is known) Service. I have included a description of the Vigil and the meaning of each part of the service for your edification.

“The Easter Vigil begins with darkness. The darkness itself is the first movement of the liturgy, so we begin our preparations with that darkness. It represents all darkness, and all the meanings of darkness – devoid of light; evil thoughts, motivations, deeds; all that is hidden and secret, deceitful and dishonest, divisive and abusive, immoral and sinful. It’s the darkness of our world, and the darkness in my heart. If I come to the vigil and restlessly and impatiently fidget in the dark “until something happens,” I miss the power of what is about to happen. So, we prepare by preparing ourselves to experience the darkness. It is distasteful and reprehensible, embarrassing and humbling, fearful and despairing.

Then a light is struck. It breaks into the darkness.

The Light of Christ.

The candle lit from the new fire is then processed into the community, and we receive its light and experience the power of that light as it grows. When the candle is brought front and center, we celebrate the Easter Proclamation. This prayer sounds like a Eucharistic Prayer. We give thanks and praise over this symbol of the Light of Christ in our midst and “consecrate” it as Christ’s presence among us. Reading this proclamation carefully and letting its joyful song into our hearts is a wonderful way to prepare to feel its exultant praise at the Vigil.

The Word of Our Salvation History.

There are nine readings and eight psalms or songs that have been prepared to help us with our night’s vigil. Each reading is followed by an invitation to pray in silence, which is followed by a special prayer designed for that reading. (The help that comes with the liturgy says this: “The number of readings from the Old Testament may be reduced for pastoral reasons, but it must always be borne in mind that the reading of the word of God is the fundamental element of the Easter Vigil.”) If we have time on Saturday, a wonderful way to prepare for the Vigil would be to read the readings and psalms and then articulate prayer to the Lord, expressing gratitude to God for an extraordinary story of fidelity and love for us.

After the last reading from the Old Testament, the candles are lit and the bells ring as we sing our Glory to God. Now we are ready to hear the New Testament word in the light of Christ, and the good news, “He has been raised! ……the joy at the resurrection of Jesus – the victory of our God over sin and death – for us.

The Liturgy of Baptism.

Those who are to be baptized are called forward, along with their sponsors. In our excitement for them, we realize that this is very much about the renewal of our whole community. Initiation and revitalization become one this night.

The Profession of Faith and Renunciation of Evil

We have renewed our baptismal promises many times. We can prepare to make the Easter Vigil a powerful experience of grace if we make each of the renunciations and professions with a meaning that is personal to us.

The candidates are baptized. Even if our church isn’t able to immerse the baptized into the water, the ritual of pouring water over their heads is meant to be a sign of their entry into the waters of baptism. We should feel the power of this moment and open our hearts to its joy, for them and for ourselves. The newly baptized are anointed, with the same oil used to anoint priests.

The Eucharist.

All our preparations, all the power of this night’s rituals and sacraments, lead us to celebrate the Eucharist, to “give God thanks and praise.” As the newly confirmed receive the final Sacrament of Initiation, the Body and Blood of Jesus, we are ready to celebrate Easter.

The tomb is empty. There is Light in the midst of our darkness. We’ve been fed by the Word and given new life in the waters of baptism. Now we eat his Body and drink his Blood and receive the life in him that he promises.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

Pastor Dave