Easter Day

The Reverend Martha Frances

Year B, Easter Day

16 April 2006

Texts:  Mark 16: 1-8

Other readings:  Acts 10:34-43; Psalm 118: 1-2, 14-24; I Corinthians 15: 1-11 

      So the women went out & fled from the tomb, for terror & amazement had seized them, & they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.  That's it!  That's how our gospel reading ends today.  They said nothing to anyone for they were afraid.  Doesn't sound very much like the joyous Easter we affirm today, does it? 

      For the first time in 6 weeks, we proclaim Alleluia today.  We began our service with "Alleluia.  Christ is risen.  The Lord is risen today.  Alleluia!"  We have already sung two Easter hymns which celebrate Jesus Christ risen & living & our ability to live because Jesus does.  And all of this is true.  All of this is right for us to celebrate, for today is the Feast of the Resurrection.

      So what are we to do with this Gospel lesson for today?  What are we to think of these women who have experienced evidence of Jesus' resurrection first hand at the tomb yet are so terrified at their experience that they say nothing to anyone for they are afraid? 

      How would you have reacted that first Easter morning had you been at the tomb with those women?  They have come to anoint Jesus with spices for the proper burial for which there had not been time on Friday before the Jewish Sabbath began at sundown.  The women have had to plan ahead to prepare the spices because no work could be done on the Sabbath.  However, they go to the tomb only partially prepared: only on the journey do they remember that they'll have to have someone roll the stone away.  After all, that's why the stone was placed there to begin with:  so that no one could steal the body. 

      Upon arrival at the tomb, they are surprised to see that the barrier is gone; the stone has already been rolled back.  Their relief at that obstacle's being overcome is short-lived, however, as, upon entering the tomb, they encounter a young man dressed in white.  We can guess his identity when his first words are  "Do not be alarmed."  Such words in biblical literature come from an angel, don't they?  Jacob was told not to fear.  Zachariah, Elizabeth, Joseph, & Mary were all told not to be alarmed by the angels who appeared to them.  And how do these women respond to the angel's reassuring words?  They are frightened out of their wits, so to speak.  He tells them that Jesus of Nazareth has been raised—is not there—has gone ahead of them to Galilee.  He admonishes them to go tell his disciples & Peter the news & then to go to Galilee in order to see Jesus again.

      And what do the women do?  They flee from the tomb & say nothing to anyone, for they are afraid.  According to Mark, neither Peter nor the rest of the disciples learn of Christ's resurrection from the women.  The women are struck dumb by the reality of the situation.  They are silent in the face of the greatest news ever to happen on earth.

      How do we react to such fantastic news?  We come to church on Easter Sunday morning where we sing familiar hymns which we've not sung since last Easter.  We rejoice with Alleluias.  We tell each other "Happy Easter!" & we eat the ears off a chocolate Easter bunny if we're fortunate enough to get one.  We hide Easter eggs for our children & make up ridiculous stories about rabbits & eggs which fool no one.  We plan a festive meal with our family or friends, & our mood on Easter morning is joyous.  We're glad that we're Christians on the day when we celebrate Jesus' rising from the dead.

      So what?  What will Christ's resurrection mean tomorrow morning?  What will we do the next day when the scales tell of our excess, when a loved one falls ill, when there is difficulty at work, if our lives begin to unravel?  Even if we've had a good Lenten discipline & read the Bible or prayed or not eaten meat every day for the 40 days leading up to Easter, what difference does it make in the long run?  How does Jesus' dying & rising matter when the chips are down?

      I hope that during the 40 days of Lent, you really have done some interior work to so that your life is more Christlike.  I hope that today Christ Jesus does live within your heart as we affirm in our alleluias as we worship.  I pray your renewal of life makes a difference as you live into tomorrow & next week & next year. 

      It is absolutely true that Jesus Christ died and was resurrected for each of us in this room today as well as those who never darken the doors of the church.  Jesus Christ really would have died for you even if you were the only person left alive, as the old time preachers have told us.  However, I am in very great danger of thinking that Jesus Christ died & was risen for me, just me.   It is terribly important to celebrate Christ's resurrection today together with you as a community of faith. 

      That's where I want to challenge us to stretch this morning.  How can the Easter Alleluias we sing & say & rejoice in today be the heart of the good news of Jesus Christ unless we share with others so that we & they really believe that Jesus Christ died & rises for us all?  Easter is not just one day, you know.  Easter lasts for 7 weeks, even longer than Lent does, all the way to Pentecost.  This year we have several celebrations during Easter season to remind us of the 50 days of Easter:  an Easter egg hunt next week after the late service—planned that way even before we knew of the likelihood of rain today;  Wednesday evening Eucharists with Healing Prayers on 4 Wednesdays during Easter, a talent show & karaoke evening the last Sat of April—so make sure you have chosen your talent to reveal to all of us;  & even the house blessing at my house on the 3^rd of May if you choose to attend. 

      We also have wonderful opportunities throughout this Easter season to externalize the work we have done during Lent by proclaiming the miracle of Christ's resurrection—which is our own resurrection—in the way we live our daily lives.  

      In the baptismal promises which some of us renewed at the vigil yesterday evening, we promised to "proclaim by word & example the Good News of God in Christ."  Proclaim by word & example:  let's see how many ways we can do that in the next 7 weeks.  The next 2 baptismal vows give us hints as to how to go about that proclaiming.  We promise to seek & serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbors as ourselves.  And we promise to strive for justice & peace among all people, respecting the dignity of every human being.  We at Hope are choosing ways to live out our lives in Christ despite the downturn in the economy which of course has affected our budget.  What time & talent do you have to share with the Hope community?  We're moving forward with renewed vigor by the grace of God, & you are a necessary part of resurrection in this church. 

      We've just sung a hymn that encourages us all to full participation in God's call for Hope to live into our mission.  The words include "Jesus is Lord of all the earth," & "Spread the good news o'er all the earth." As we bless & receive the body & blood of Christ in our Eucharist today, we partake of the heavenly food which strengthens us to share the gospel with others in our actions as well as in our words.  We'll have many opportunities to share Christ's marvelous gift of new life through the Easter season & into our future in & of Hope.  Let us join one another in making every day an Easter day in our corner of the world.  Alleluia, Christ is risen!