Easter joy, continued…
I saw a picture on Facebook after Easter of a woman who had just been baptized. The caption read, “Easter Vigil mass at St. Mary of the Angels in Singapore…just love the joy.” The picture shows a woman standing up after being fully submerged in a baptismal pool, her arms stretched high, looking upwards, in sheer joy and delight. Her expression is one of victory and the priest standing next to her can hardly contain his joy.
A resurrected person! Victory! Easter joy!
They say the pre-dawn hours are the darkest. Then, as the dawn emerges, there is the first sign of light as the top of the sun peeks out over the horizon; and finally, daylight arrives. I love watching the first glimmer of light break through a dark sky. It is worth getting up early to catch this occurrence. I saw my first pacific coast sunrise last week. It truly was one of the most remarkable things I have seen! Creation is breathtaking! Each morning can bring the hope of seeing a spectacular sunrise. However, one doesn’t always enjoy the sunrise as sleep or clouds (choices or circumstances) can prevent us from seeing. Sunrises are truly glorious. And whether we witness them or not, or even notice their display, it is still a daily phenomenon.
The days leading up to Easter can feel like the predawn hours for a multitude of reasons as we wait, prepare and anticipate Easter. Other periods in our life can feel like this as well. However, we know Resurrection Sunday is coming and it will burst through the horizon like the sunrise. Resurrection Sunday, a day like no other; a day that brings victory; a day that brings inexplainable joy. And both the victory and the joy are there for us to embrace in its full splendor. All we have to do is arise and claim it. Easier said than done for sleep and clouds (choices or circumstances) revisit us. It’s been a couple of weeks since Easter Sunday. Are you living the Easter joy? I admit that at times, I stay under the baptismal waters; I remain in the predawn hours and do not emerge. So why stay submerged or in darkness? I suppose it is a choice we make.
Jesus did not invite us into the tomb to celebrate His Resurrection. He met the people exactly where they were – the garden, the upper room, the road to Emmaus, etc. He invited them to share and celebrate Easter joy everywhere, but in hiding. I want to embrace this Easter joy like the woman photographed, I really do, and not just for Easter. Yet at times I find myself staying under the baptismal waters or celebrating in the tomb, partly because of inhibitions, insecurities, fears, “sleep or clouds”. There is no victory if my Easter joy stays hidden in the darkness of the predawn hours. I must not forget that Jesus’ resurrection brings about mine as well!
We are an Easter people and Hallelujah is our song!
I think this is hard to sustain without community~
For balance and hope.
Well said! We truly need the graces that flow from the baptismal waters to rise above difficult circumstances to find joy!
Agree with Jill and Michelle! I know becoming more bold in my witness was a huge step for me. I was surprised how open and receptive people were. Yet, I still often forget to step out there again. A friend and pastor’s son relays a quote of his dad’s – something like: “You need to live your beliefs, because you may be the only contact with Jesus someone has today.” I want to be a happy Christian, not a crabby Christian!