SHINE WITH THE POWER OF THE RISEN CHRIST
I always look forward to Easter Day! My earliest memories of
Easter are of a brilliant sunrise followed by some of the greatest
celebrations of the new life that Christ brings to light. We sing
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with a gusto unequaled any
other time of the year. That is because Easter Day is a day of
light! And we are children of the light!
Worship helps us to live as children of the light. Paul’s advice
to the Ephesians is a vigorous prompting that we are most like
children of light when we are at worship. Worshiping together fills
us with the Spirit, as we make melody to the Lord in our hearts,
giving thanks to God in the name of our risen Lord Jesus Christ.
I have heard pastors talking disparagingly about “C & E” members
of their congregations. They are referring to those who attend
primarily on Christmas or Easter. While I understand their
frustrations, I try not to make fun of or speak ill of such folks.
They are, after all, doing on Christmas and Easter (if not the rest
of the year) what Paul exhorts them to do. Yes, if we want to know
the power of the resurrection, we need only to look to the word
proclaimed and the sacraments administered. It is when we come
together as children of the light that we experience most powerfully
the re-charging of our energy source so that we, too, might shine
with the power of the Risen Christ.
So, if you are able, today, if no other day, attend worship! It
will nourish you to shine as a child of the light. Indeed, on this
day, especially, we rejoice in the Good News that once we were
darkness, but now in the Lord we are light. That is why we sing
songs and greet one another with the Good News that “The Lord is
Risen! Christ is Risen, indeed, Alleluia!”
Lord, we thank you for the Easter Light of your Resurrection. As
we worship you in truth and holiness, give us grace to live as
children of that Resurrecting Light. Amen
The Rev. Thomas Hallstrom
