This week, our congregation said "pick up your heavenly tennis racket" to a beloved member who died after a lengthy wrestling match with back and leg pain. She was the mother of two daughters, one a church member and the other a retired pastor colleague and long-time good friend. "Rest in peace" would not be an appropriate farewell: "swing that racket, swing that golf club" would be more the good wishes for one who had been so very active and in recent years was nearly homebound from the pain. At the funeral home during a lull in the visiting, one of her daughters and I were standing at the casket talking to and about her mother. Her daughter said after a few moments: "Mom's in heaven looking down here and asking 'what are you doing?' -- you're talking to my body and I'm not there." After Jesus’ crucifixion and burial, some women and disciples went to the tomb expecting to attend to Jesus’ lifeless body and to do those things that custom and ritual required. But they were met by figures who proclaimed, “He is not here”. While they were perplexed at first, they soon discovered the joy of resurrection and the promise of life eternal.
The Easter season in the church is leading quickly toward Pentecost, the birthday of the Church. The birth of the church was born of the promises of God of eternal life and blessed peace. Death has its mystery for us. But death no longer has any ultimate claim on us. "O grave, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting?" "Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." Christ The Lord is Risen -- and we sing our faithful "Alleluia!"
Holy Lord, loving God, creator of the universe:
You call us to be holy, which is to say "other" than the ways of the world.
Thank you for the gift of your son Jesus Christ.
And thank you for your promises of eternal love, everlasting peace, endless joy.
We pray in his sacred name. Amen.
Rev. Jack Lipphardt
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