21. THE BEST VERSION OF MYSELF: RISE

EASTER SUNDAY, March 31st

Follow Jesus…

What a wondrous experience this must have been! The two grieving women visit the tomb on that early morning after the Sabbath, only to encounter a dazzling angel who tells them that Jesus is not there–he has been raised from the dead! And as they hurry to tell the disciples, they actually come upon the risen Christ!

to be the best version of myself…

We have reached this glorious Easter day, in which we celebrate how Jesus was raised to life anew–and how his resurrection means that we too, have life anew–and life eternally.

This morning, I imagine myself with the two women. We come to the tomb in deep grief, only to discover that the tomb is empty and there is an angel proclaiming the incredible reason why! But as the women hurry off to tell the disciples, I enter the tomb to pause for a moment…

I sit on the stone where Jesus’ body once was, and I pick up a remnant of the cast-off burial cloth. I look back at the entrance of the tomb, where daylight is beckoning me, where the women are already meeting the risen Christ. But first, I reflect, “What remnants of winter dreariness might I leave behind here, too? What should I cast off, what binds me from living fully and freely in love?”

It is then that I sense his presence… yes, the risen Christ is outside the tomb, but also here, with me and within me. And I can hear him saying, “There is no need to remain in this tomb. You no longer need to pause in the darkness of your imperfection, to scrutinize every scrap of sin. Come with me, embracing the abundant life I offer. You will be transformed in the light of my love, my joy, and my freedom–not in the darkness of your shame or guilt. Rise now and greet this glorious new morning!”

I stand up, and with deep gratitude, I touch the empty stone once more, turn to face the dawn, and joyfully enter the radiant light of day.

for the world.

Risen Christ, Infinite Love,
Because of you I can now
discard these useless, binding cloths,
welcome your presence with me,
rise up to enter the radiant light of life,
and make haste to serve others in love.
Thank you for everything.

Thank you for accompanying me through the Lenten, Holy Week, and Easter season. I hope you have been blessed–for you are always a blessing to me.
(Photo by Karen, the dawn of a new day.)

~~~~~

Matthew 28:1-10 (NRSVUE)

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers and sisters to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”