And so we end our journey through the Stations of the Cross; 40 days after we began this walk through the stations we reach the pinnacle, Easter Sunday.
Okay well first let's back up ...
Good Friday, Hampton Christian Church -
"Why are you here? Why are you here when it is a beautiful spring evening outside?"
My mind leapt as I pondered the question. Why am I here in this dank small(ish) sanctuary that smelled slightly of moisture and reeked of mold. Well, I thought, I am here to remember the suffering, the crucifixion and the death of Jesus Christ.
"We are here tonight to remember the cross" and Darren lifted a slight(ish) cross off the floor that seemed to materialize out of nowhere, "the suffering, the crucifixion, and the death of Christ."
Got that ... score one for me.
Easter Vigil Saturday night, Emmanuel Episcopal Church -
I truly intended to attend, I drove up to the church where there were many people standing outside the open doors of the sanctuary - a miniature bonfire burning in a metal fire pit. The people gathered were well dressed, to the nines it seemed. I looked at my clothing, jeans and a long sleeved dark shirt to wear under the uniform of the Roman guard costume I was to put on in a little over an hour. I was embarrassed and ashamed to walk up to that group of people. I left.
I heard that Deacon Earl preached and it was all law and weight upon weight pressed upon shoulders being crushed by the absence of grace.
Good for me ... for missing that one.
Easter Sunday morning, St. Mark's United Methodist Church -
"Easter People rejoice! He is risen. He is risen indeed." We are the Easter people as we gathered at 7:00 a.m. for the Sun(Son)rise Service to celebrate the empty tomb, the risen resurrected Christ ... a living Savior. Easter People rejoice!
Then Jeff began to "prove" the resurrection of Jesus Christ for both "regular" Easter services. I admit that I only half paid attention. You see I have NEVER doubted that Christ was crucified and that Christ was resurrected and that Christ ascended ... NEVER. What I have doubts about is that Christ suffered and died for me. I used to believe it was my arrogance that kept me from believing Christ could and would die for me - I, after all, had god fully incarnate. Then my thinking morphed into almost self-flagellation - I don't deserve to have Christ in my life and he couldn't possibly be able to enter into relationship with one so horrible as I. Now I think that I am beginning to believe that I was created by God with gifts that only I have and that I am of value - without me my gifts would be lost and the body of Christ (the church of God) would be incomplete. I am worthy and the blood of Christ has covered the sins of the world, even mine. I am made righteous through Christ and I am coming to appreciate this unique relationship with God through Christ.
And finally True North which is always an experience of grace over law, mercy over justice and the insurmountable love of God for his creation - ALL of his creation. The depth and breath of the lengths that God would go to bring us back to him.
Easter People Rejoice!
He is Risen ...
He is Risen Indeed!
Thank you for joining me on this journey through the Stations. Until next year.
Blessing upon you all!
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