The Comfort of Eastertide
Have you heard that these are interesting times? How about that these days are unprecedented or that you need to embrace the “new normal” that is social distancing? There are different feelings across the board about this virus. You see that in the news and on social media, and if you let those platforms consume you, it is sure to lead you into anger and despair no matter how you feel the world should react to such a thing.
In the midst of all of that, though, don’t miss the comfort that Eastertide brings. Notice how nothing has changed concerning the readings of the Holy Scriptures, but the comfort the resurrection brings is so much sweeter when fear and death draw ever closer. Let’s look week by week at the comfort God is bringing through His Word.
The Resurrection of Our Lord
Though the disciples (and Peter) fled from Jesus in fear and the women too fled the tomb in the same fear, Jesus still rose and went on before them to Galilee just as He had told them. The Word overcomes fear and failure.
Quasimodo Geniti
“Son of man, can these bones live?” As death surrounds us and hope seems lost, even as many remain in fear and isolation (John 20), the resurrected Jesus comes into our midst proclaiming peace through the forgiveness of sins and promises life, even to old, dried up bones.
Misericordias Domini
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, You are with me.” For many of you, this valley is where you find yourselves; however, your Good Shepherd has not abandoned you as some “hired hand.” He is with you. Although the Table of the Lord might not be set at the moment for you due to restrictions, the day is drawing near when it will be once again, not only now, but especially on the mountain heights of God in all things new.
Jubilate
Jesus told His disciples that they would be sorrowful but that their sorrow would turn to joy and that no one would be able to take that from them. In these days when it’s easy to weep and lament and grow tired and weary, the resurrection of Jesus changes everything. The God who named every single star has also named you and utters that name off of His lips as He gives the forgiveness of sins to you in Holy Baptism. A little while and we will see Him. Our hearts will too rejoice.
Cantate
The world will be convicted. It’s rejoicing is coming to an end. God remains our salvation. He is the One in whom we trust. He is the One who receives the renewed song from His people renewed by the breath of the promised Spirit.
Rogate
As we near the Ascension of Jesus, we do not do so in sadness, for Jesus has promised to send the Spirit. We are reminded also that the redemption of the world, even yours is complete. As God’s people of old were saved from the serpents by the lifting up of one on a pole, so have we been saved from the ancient serpent by the lifting up of Jesus on the cross. Your salvation is accomplished. It is finished.
Exaudi
This final Sunday of Eastertide prepares us finally for the sending of the Spirit through whom God will cleanse His people by sprinkling clean water on them. This entire season has come to give us hope in the face of disease and death. What has changed? That’s what Easter always does for us! This Word comes to us again as the season comes to a close to “keep you from falling away” (John 16). May you continue in this season in hope, comfort, and joy that only the death and resurrection of Jesus can bring. Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!