Tis the spring of souls today, Christ has burst His prison, And from three days sleep in death As a sun hath risen; All the winter of our sins, Long and dark, is flying From His light, to whom we give Laud and praise undying. (ELW 363)
I realize that many of you will read these words during Holy Week. I am fully aware that the journey with Jesus to the cross must first take place before we can celebrate the Resurrection. Yet is also seems to me that the journey may take on a different feel if we approach it from the other side of death. Remember Pastor Amlin’s question, “Are we preparing for Christ’s death or Resurrection?
What if we approach the cross of suffering and death from the open tomb? Can we witness the betrayal, the torture, the suffering, the final hours, the Last Words, the death blow from the open tomb? Can we affirm the faith of the Church which dares to celebrate the Resurrection?
Perhaps the only way to experience the Triduum (the Three Days Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Vigil) is to ponder the events with Mary standing in the Garden where the tomb is located.
I am convinced that the open tomb provides the strength to endure the dark days of Holy Week. Then on Easter Morn we can with complete confidence shout “Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed!
- We are Easter people. The message of the open tomb sends us out into the new day where we can make a difference.
- We have many reasons to celebrate this New Day. Following our Risen Lord we are reforming our identity, claiming our gifts, and moving forward in love and service.
- Like the disciples who witnessed the open tomb let us run and tell others the good news!
Peace,
Pastor John Albertson