It’s weird Easter, but it’s still Easter

Email conversation Tuesday after Easter, a work from home day. Again.

Pastor Clay: Here's an item for the blog and the email. I'd like it to go out on both if you can figure out how to do this. It is so good. Please say it is by Dr.Beth Felker Jones, Professor of Theology at Wheaton College. Beth is a graduate of Duke Divinity School and Duke University. She's a United Methodist, a wife to a UM pastor, and a mom. She gave me permission to post this.

Robin: Will do!

As we shelter in place, many of us experienced the most unusual Easter of our lives.

Yesterday, my family celebrated what my husband kept calling “weird Easter.”

It was discombobulating.

It was not what we wanted.

But it was a celebration nonetheless. Quarantine can’t stop Easter.

Usually, we put on spring finery. Yesterday, we wore pajamas. (My youngest might have worn the same Spiderman pajamas he’d had on for a week.)

Even in our pajamas,

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!

Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia! (Charles Wesley)

It’s weird Easter, but it’s still Easter.

Usually, we hurry to get to church early, because we know the sanctuary will be overflowing with people. Yesterday, we slept in.

Even with sleep in our eyes,

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!

Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!

It’s weird Easter, but it’s still Easter.

Usually, my church rings out with majestic music, choral procession, the organ playing with drums and strings and brass, voices to the sky. Yesterday, we watched church on the tv screen, and my husband and I sang, while our kids watched or mouthed the words.

Even with teenagers who won’t sing,

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!

Where’s thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!

It’s weird Easter, but it’s still Easter.

Usually, church is followed by a joyful frenzy of an egg hunt. Yesterday, we had quiet Easter baskets at home.

Even when we’re not feeling it,

Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!

Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!

Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!

Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!

It’s weird Easter, but it’s still Easter.

Usually, we have tons of friends over to the house for an Easter potluck feast. Yesterday, only our immediate family sat down at the table for the ham and cheese potatoes and cake.

Even as we’re unable to be together with the community we love,

King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!

Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!

Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!

Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!

It’s weird Easter, but it’s still Easter.

Usually, we rejoice because the Lord of Life has conquered the grave, even though our lives are still full of grief and hard things. Yesterday, we rejoiced because the Lord of Life has conquered the grave, even though our lives are still full of grief and hard things.

Today, I am praying to rejoice because the Lord of Life has conquered the grave, even though life is full of grief and hard things.

Today, the joy of Easter is reality, even while the strange pain of this time is reality too.

Death and isolation and grief do not stop the truth of Easter.

The grave could not hold him. Death was defeated. Christ is risen indeed.

Dear God, Thank you for the joy of Easter, even in the midst of pain. Remind us of Jesus, the risen Lord, who triumphed over sin and death. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

Amen.

                   

Photo: Lisa Knick