In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! This morning we celebrate Jesus’ victory over death. He was executed, laid in a tomb, and now he’s not in the tomb. All of the scriptures and prayers appointed for Morning Prayer are joyful, full of praise and ‘Alleluias’, a word and sentiment that’s been absent for these past 40 days of Lent.
This morning’s reading from the Gospel of John is intriguing. It’s also the reading for the regular Sunday Eucharist reading on the first Sunday after Christmas. In the beginning was the Word.. That’s John’s version of the nativity story. No lambs and shepherds. Just the cosmos.. and God.
The Scripture continues, “the light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.” That’s Easter, a short 4 sentences after In the Beginning.
For Jesus’ brief life on Earth, maybe that’s fitting. His earthly life was so short. But his Life in this world was before all things and continues after all things.
This morning, I’m thinking about the brevity of Jesus’ earthly life. Just because it was brief is irrelevant. Just because he was executed at the hands of power and religion is irrelevant. The darkness did not overcome it.
This morning, this earthly life continues. Pain and suffering happen. Illnesses remain. Bombings in far off countries rock our world. And yet, it’s Easter morning. There’s nothing about Easter morning that diminishes the trouble of this world. I’m not celebrating with loud Alleluias because somehow all of that is wiped away. But I am again reminded that all of that is brief, and ultimately irrelevant; the darkness will not overcome it.
It’s a deep joy to know that in the end, all shall be well. And for that, Again, I say rejoice.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
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