The Tribune

By Rev Angela C Bosfield Palacious

Two lessons selected for the services on Easter Sunday began with the following sentences: “After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb.” (Mt. 28:1), and from John 20: 1 “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb.”

Darkness is to be taken literally as the time of the morning before the sun has risen, but it also represents the human condition of sin and death. This is all we have to look forward to if we live with no Saviour and Lord in our lives. For some, this means that there is nothing really to live for if this is all that there is.
We are trapped by the past. Most persons have done things that they would never wish to have plastered on the front page of any newspaper. All of us have made a fool of ourselves in some embarrassing situations. Many of us have messed up some relationships and we would make some changes if we could go back and do it all again.

With no Easter, life would be one long Friday with nothing good about it. Backed in a corner, we would have “to make our bed and lie in it”, “grin and bear” whatever life brings. With no Easter, there is no forgiveness, no hope, nothing better will come, and there is no after life, no heavenly reward, and no eternal presence with the Lord. Without Easter there is no Saviour, no Lord, no church, no second chance. What you see is what you will get: no healing, no deliverance, no redemption, and no blessing.

What would your life be like without faith in God? What difference does being a Christian make to you? What has the Lord done for you personally? Can you tell someone what you have experienced? Can you feel God’s grace and mercy? Do you spend time enjoying the presence of God? Do you want more or need more? Are you still in the dark about some things on your faith journey?

Well, Easter has once again come in all of its fullness and power. The Easter light is so very bright. We have a future and a hope. We have unending possibilities, and the best is yet to come.

Like the Easter egg, out of the silent seemingly dead egg, comes a lively fluffy chick. Like the creepy crawly, caterpillar that becomes a breath-taking butterfly, we are transformed by the forgiveness of our sins, and the healing of life’s hurts, if we allow it. We are endowed with spiritual gifts with which to build up the church, and we have the example of Jesus Christ to influence our decisions.

There is peace in the midst of chaos, and the joy of new beginnings in the middle of former limitations. Since up from the grave Jesus arose, we do not have to be afraid to die. We can face tomorrow, because Jesus lives today. We have renewed faith, a supportive community, the Eucharist, and an intimate relationship with the Lord God Almighty, Creator of the universe.

Let us take care not to forget the reason for the Easter season.