An Easter like the first Easter ... by Eric

On this Holy Saturday, I wanted to share some thoughts that have been rattling around in my head about Good Friday and Easter.

When I was watching/attending the virtual Good Friday service yesterday, I was taken back to my childhood.  The parts of the passion narrative always have the narrator, the priest, as Jesus; and another reader as “the crowd”.  When I was a kid, they didn’t have a reader for the crowd but rather the congregation read that part. It always bugged me that we always had to play the bad guy.  Why did I have to yell “crucify Him, crucify Him!”? How about letting we the people off the hook? Well, I have gotten my wish, now the reader handles that part and we are just silent witnesses.

I think the old way that reading was handled was telling me something, and so is the new way.  Have you ever thought about what you would have done in that situation, especially if you had been a follower of Jesus even if at a distance?  Would you have silently watched? Would you have joined the crowd and yelled “crucify Him”? I fear the way I hope I would have acted is different than the way I actually would have acted.  This fear is founded in the way I treat Him now. Sure, I stand up for Jesus when I am with other disciples in a safe place. When I am with the crowd and they are acting un-Christian, I so often have either been silent or joined in.  I can just see Jesus looking at me from the praetorium as my actions (or lack of action) yell “crucify Him”. Here’s the thing though, Jesus is looking at me in those times with eyes of not only disappointment, but primarily love and mercy.  

In this time of “stay home, work safe” and the fear associated with the pandemic, I think we are experiencing an Easter very similar to the first Easter.  On that first Easter, the apostles were consumed by fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. Their world had been rocked and they did not know what to do. They were huddled in the upper room practicing their own version of “stay home, be safe”.  We all know what happened next, the stone is rolled away and the resurrected Jesus comes to them, bringing with Him the Holy Spirit. This Easter, we are all at home, we can not go experience Jesus at church in the blessed sacrament. Just like 2000 years ago, Jesus is coming to you in your homes to bring you peace and love.  This is so emblematic of our God. He does not wait for us to come to Him, rather he seeks us out wherever we are to show us His love and invite us into the joy of a relationship with Him. As you sit at home this Easter, recognize that Jesus is there with you, seeking you out, bringing you the Holy Spirit and all those gifts.  

You are all amazing witnesses to Christ’s love in this world, now more than ever may you commit to that identity and know the love of the creator of the Universe surrounds you and overcomes all.  The tomb is empty, we are redeemed, death is defeated, Hallelujah!

​Blessings and Love to you all!

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