Sunday, April 12, 2020

Easter Morning


Happy Easter.

You are not alone on this highest of holidays in all of the Christ-following world! 

While we may think the story began at Christmas--in fact, the story began with creation and continued through the history of the chosen people which led us to Good Friday.  

And that is where it all changed! God's plan of redemption did not end on Good Friday, nor did it end on Easter morning. It continues to this day. And upon that is our hope built.

President Reagan, on April 2, 1983 made the following statement regarding this time of year:


My fellow Americans: 
This week as American families draw together in worship, we join with millions upon millions of others around the world also celebrating the traditions of their faiths. During these days, at least, regardless of nationality, religion, or race, we are united by faith in God, and the barriers between us seem less significant.
Observing the rites of Passover and Easter, we're linked in time to the ancient origins of our values and to the unborn generations who will still celebrate them long after we're gone. As Paul explained in his Epistle to the Ephesians, ``He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. So then you were no longer strangers and aliens, but you were fellow citizens of God's household.''
This is a time of hope and peace, when our spirits are filled and lifted. It's a time when we give thanks for our blessings -- chief among them, freedom, peace, and the promise of eternal life. 
This week Jewish families and friends have been celebrating Passover, a tradition rich in symbolism and meaning. Its observance reminds all of us that the struggle for freedom and the battle against oppression waged by Jews since ancient times is one shared by people everywhere. And Christians have been commemorating the last momentous days leading to the crucifixion of Jesus 1,950 years ago. Tomorrow, as morning spreads around the planet, we'll celebrate the triumph of life over death, the Resurrection of Jesus. Both observances tell of sacrifice and pain but also of hope and triumph.

I especially felt connected to the words at the end of the portion of the speech that I quoted, ". . . of hope and triumph."

Great pain, suffering, and death is occurring across our country and around the world right now. While we say that death is not an ending, but a beginning because of Easter morning--it never feels that way when it is happening to your family or to your friends. There is grief, and tears, and families torn asunder. Lives are being lost and it is easy to lose hope.

During this time of national crisis we need the hope that Easter provides even more! We need to place our hope in the risen one who heals, He is our hope!

Do not lose faith, cling to hope.  

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

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