Reading
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. (Luke 24:1-12) Reflection We smirk a little, smile a little, and maybe giggle a bit while they foolishly walk along with their special blend of strong spices. I am imagining basil, but that is probably only because I am looking forward to that glorious summer smell. Myrrh & aloes, aromatics in a thick oil and probably also a pulverized powder. They expected to overpower the smell of decomposition and retard decay. They were so sad. We read on and look forward to the foundational surprise. The little child in us can hardly wait for the verses to roll along. “He isn’t there!” -we want to yell before it is time, like a joyful warning. We know their tears will turn to laughter, so it’s okay that we are early for the punchline. They should have known, we think. He told them so many times, “In three days…” It is kind of funny to us. The joke is on them. Or actually, on death. Which we like even better. Yes, this is one joke that doesn’t hurt any of our feelings! --Andrew Fitch Prayer Dear Jesus, we thank you deeply for making a laughingstock out of death. You have filled our hearts with joy and our mouths with laughter! In your eternal Name, we pray. Amen. Our devotions are based on this Sunday’s Revised Common Lectionary (RCL). The RCL is a three-year cycle of readings telling the story of our Christian faith and corresponding to the season church calendar. On any given Sunday, we are hearing and praying and examining the same Scripture with millions of Christians around the world. In our current Year C, the Old Testament readings progress through the Prophets and have the theme of the day that it is connected to the Gospel reading. The Psalm, a song the congregation sings in response to the Old Testament reading, most often corresponds to the theme of the Hebrew Lessons and/or that of the Gospel Lesson. The lesson from the Epistles or from Acts typifies the church’s focus on the meaning of Christ for today. The Gospel lesson is connected to the season of the Church Year. This year, our gospel readings are from Luke, who writes that Jesus is the universal Savior and the perfect Son of Man. In the current season of Easter brings the liturgical and biblical past into the present.
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