Easter Sunday - Gospel & Message

EASTER SUNDAY

Holy Gospel Matthew 28:1-10

1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified.

6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.

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Easter 2020 Message

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen

We are now in a place we never thought we would be. We are not in our church building on Easter Sunday. Throughout my entire life I have been in church every Easter Sunday. When I was a child my father would buy corsages for my mom, my sister and me. We would pin our beautiful flowers on our brand new Easter outfits that my mother sewed for my sister and me. When I was real little I would wear an Easter bonnet and white gloves too. We would dress in our nicest and newest outfits for this very special day. We would then come home and line up outside next to freshly bloomed flowers and get our picture taken all dressed up. We would run into the house to look for our Easter baskets and more photos would be taken. Then we took off our special new clothes to keep them nice and would put on our regular clothes as we waited for a house full of company. I remember both sets of grandparents would come over with my favorite aunt and uncle. We would visit all day, play games, laugh and enjoy my mother’s home cooking. I have wonderful memories of Easter. I hope my little trip down memory lane has caused you to think of nice Easter memories as well.

Now I am married and have children of my own and those memories have changed. We now make memories for our children. Some of them are similar to mine growing up and some are different. But we try and make this a special day for our family. This year however, I can’t help but think about what kinds of memories my children will have of Easter. Although it is going to be different Tony and I have been thinking about ways we can make it special too. We will be worshipping at home, praising our living Lord from our living room. We will be together as a family. Even if it is not with extended family, we will be with those whom we love, and we will be trying to create happy memories amidst confusing and fearful times.

All of this has made me think about the first Easter. There were no Easter bonnets, fancy dresses, and no memories of Easters past since it was the first one. No one gathered in church buildings. So what was the first Easter like?

Part of what I am about to share with you comes from an email I received this week. I was given permission to share this with you, and I want to give credit to David Leo, who is the Organist and Director of Music at Mt. St. Peter Parish in New Kensington.. “The very first Easter was not in a crowded worship space with singing and praising. On the very first Easter the disciples were locked in their house. It was dangerous for them to come out. They were afraid. They wanted to believe the good news they heard from the women, that Jesus had risen. But it seemed too good to be true. They were living in a time of such despair and such fear. If they left their homes their lives and the loves of the loved ones might be at risk. Could a miracle really have happened? Could life really win out over death? Could this time of terror and fear really be coming to an end? Alone in their homes they dared to believe that hope was possible, that the long night was over and morning had broken, that God’s love was the most powerful of all, even though it didn’t seem quite real yet. Eventually, they were able to leave their homes, when the fear and danger had subsided, they went around celebrating and spreading the good news that Jesus was risen and love was the most powerful force on the earth.

This year, we might get to experience a taste of what that first Easter was like, still in our homes daring to believe that hope is on the horizon. Then, after a while, when it is safe for all people, when it is the most loving choice , we will come out, gathering together, singing and shouting the good news that God brings life even out of death, that love always has the final say! This year we might get the closest taste we have had yet to what that first Easter was like.”

Yes, this year Easter will be different but it can still be good. Actually it can still be glorious. Jesus died and rose again for us all. He is the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in Him shall never die. Maybe this year will help us regain a bit of the true meaning of Easter. My prayer for you, and for all of us, is that faith in the resurrection and Easter hope will fill our hearts now more than ever.

Christ is Risen!

He is Risen indeed!

See you in church,

Pastor Tricia