Easter moves to waiting in Joyful hope

 As the pews are replaced for the couch, singing replaced with spoken word. The intention of active experiencing sharing worship is taken on a sheen of passive isolation. 

While grateful that technology enables connection ‘going to church,’ I however feel that it has diminished something about the experience: something is off. There are moments over the easter period where active participation would not be too far reached – saying the stations of the cross, speaking the prayers out opposed to listening. To create own prayer ritual for the last seven words, to speak the responses out loud…. Create space – yes that is a big one, both external and internal. 

Yet I sit here, where endless messages of Alleluia arrive wondering am I still in the desert. It feels like some film played on the cloud with the hope of being present at the communion event one day. 

While I do not dismiss the depth the pandemic has created, I am starting to feel it’s a justification for the somewhat passive tone that seems to have set in. Perhaps the experiences of sadness, confusion, anxiety are really just the same as that of the first friends and followers of Jesus. They experienced betrayal, denial and apparent failure after all they had known and hoped for was taken from them suddenly and violently. They found themselves in a completely new and unknown world. All their hopes and expectations had been shattered. As the two on the road to Emmaus said, ‘We had hoped that he (Jesus) would have been the one to set Israel free.’ 

 

The readings of the Easter Vigil spoke of God leading the People of Israel out of slavery into freedom. It was a real and physical ‘exodus.’ The readings for the whole of Easter Season continue to speak of a journey that takes and leads us not only on a physical road, but on also to a spiritual place of hope and new life because Jesus rose from the dead. 

 

I breath a slight ease with awareness the coming gospels from Easter to Pentecost describe the appearances that the Risen Jesus made to his followers after the Resurrection. A theme running through all the appearances of the uncertainty, worry, anxious and full of doubt. How could they not be after experiencing the tragedy of the crucifixion? Each time Jesus appears he acknowledges these doubts, fears, worries, not condemn them. The prove of his resurrection, which often leaves me reflecting in life where I seek confirmation, prove, evidence over faith…. Through all this though, he does this, he also strengthens and encourages them with these words, 

‘Peace be with you, do not be afraid’. 

 

Resting in this gifts a sense of waiting in Joyful hope - questioning if do we or can we have sense of the Risen Jesus is standing with and amongst us saying ‘Peace be with you, do not be afraid.’ Presently waiting for Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and some signs of good news.  New life, goodness and hope will prevail, we will get through this and these difficult, painful days will pass. Afterwards, our daily lives won’t be the same, but on the coming out the other side, it is possible that we will have learnt the most basic of profound truths and be able ot move on with our lives. At the first Pentecost the followers of Jesus had their sadness turned to joy, their weaknesses turned to strength and their fear transformed into courage. Eventually, and in time, the same will happen to each of us – if we can wait and live-in joyful hope. 

Wherever we are living, within limited activity and some places high self-isolating. We are discovering and experiencing a new ‘norm’. We are being called to wait patiently, but with hope. As we wait for Pentecost Sunday, let us do all we can to keep our spirits and thoughts as positive as possible, as we are not alone, Jesus stands beside our side and says to each of us “Peace be with you, do not be afraid’.