Grace in the Wilderness
an eagle flies across the sunset skies wings spread in benediction a boy peddles lazily with gas station flowers balanced in his hoodie pocket dogs behind fencing tumble and play pausing to bark as we pass by mostly masked faces hands raised in greeting keep a healthy distance small green leaves unfurling after winter's sleep reach out in new life an empty tomb waited to be noticed by women bent on grieving the angel gives a new direction what you seek here look elsewhere a mistaken gardener calls Mary by name opens her being Jesus lives even now with arms wide open proclaiming everlasting love we who come in fear and grief missing the benediction and the new life take a breath listen for the One who calls us by name we keep company with death heedless of the angel’s words seeking what is not here grief and fear accompany us yet do not know our names and offer no promises behind the masks across the six-foot divides Christ arises on this virus-infected Easter let us come with our tears and fears experience the emptiness the loss and despair of world-wide grief may we also see benediction in the rising and setting sun new life all around us Christ is risen the promise of steadfast love the hope of eternal life continue Breathe deeply God shows no partiality and always provides Grace in the wilderness in the fear-filled places in the heaviness of grief may we see Christ in every face in every place may we breathe in the scent of hope the promise of new life from this moment be forever changed by Love for Love Christ is risen Christ is risen indeed Alleluia go in peace thanks be to God amen
RCL – Year A – Easter – April 12, 2020
Acts 10:34-43 or Jeremiah 31:1-6
Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24
Colossians 3:1-4 or Acts 10:34-43
John 20:1-18 or Matthew 28:1-10
Photo: CC0image by RENE RAUSCHENBERGER
