Easter Vigil, April 23, 2011

April 23, 2011, Easter Vigil
The Rev. Jo Miller


Matthew:
There is no simple way of speaking of the resurrection. The dawn is
interrupted by the earth’s quaking and the appearance of an angel. It is as though he
rides in on the earth’s quaking, flashing like lightning and dressed in snow!!. He is
powerful enough to roll away the stone in front of the tomb and then, calmly sits on
it!!! Then the angel turns to the women and says, “ Do not fear.”

In the full scope of human history it is hard to hang on to hope and live
without fear. However, that is what we are called to do, live in hope.

The angel’s full blown message is heard: he, the very crucified one, has been
raised, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee, where he will gather you around him
in forgiveness and for a renewed sense of mission. The living Spirit of Jesus today
meets us where his ministry is: to the calling of disciples who will follow his
teachings, to the crowds who are suffering and need healing, to those who are weary
and need rest, to the oppressed who need to be freed, to the lost who need to be
found, to the hard hearted who need love and compassion. God continues to
reconcile the world unto God’s self.

Jesus broke free from the bonds of death that we not even fear death, but live
a life full as we can. The risen Christ meets us here where healing and wholeness is
a reality.

The encounter with the risen Christ is not a self-contained, solitary spiritual
experience. It is an invitation to join God’s mission, to be a conduit of grace, mercy, kindness, love, and forgiveness.

Amen