The Resurrection Continues
In many Easter services across the Lutheran clusters of our nation, there is a forced call-and-response to this refrain: He is risen!, the pastor will shout, with as much drama and gravitas he or she can muster. And in reply the congregation will murmur, with one or two enthusiasts replying in like manner with the pastor, He is risen indeed, alleluia! Then, often or not, that will be followed by a few repressed sighs or some giggles, depending on one feels about church decorum.
I've always been one of the repressed sighers. I know only a few people who actually say 'indeed', and nobody I know says 'alleluia', although some say, 'Hallelujah.' Sometimes I wish we could shout, "Christ rose from the dead!" and the congregation could reply, "Yes he did!" Maybe that would seem less preposterous, more along the lines of an "Oh no, he didn't/Oh yes, he did" culture.
Still, feeling a little uncomfortable on Easter is actually good, because Jesus did rise from the dead. He really came in a body. Mary and the other Mary really grabbed his feet, and Jesus really said, "Do not be afraid." Why would he say that if there were nothing to fear? In Bible study yesterday, we studied the texts for this Sunday, and one of the ladies said, "It's good to be reminded that the resurrection happened. It's good to remember that we're in a lineage." It's good to remember that Easter happened for us, too, and that the Resurrection is still happening for us.
Jesus, of course, was only raised once. But every time we celebrate communion, we celebrate his resurrection and his presence with us. Every Sunday is an Easter Sunday, because the reality of Jesus' life, his truly living, did not stop with the Apostles, but continues on, until the end of time, and into eternity. Jesus broke the bonds of death, and we will, too. Our Easter is coming, when we shall rise out of our tombs, and be with God, and see God face to face. That's preposterous and upsetting, in a way; but it's coming. I wonder what we will shout on that day.