Easter Morning

EASTER MORNING
Bowed over
bent down
weighted with grief,
In the half-light of pre-dawn
the women trudge toward the tomb.
The world pressing in like a heavy, black shroud –
how can the sun possibly rise again
with such despair all around?
How will they manage
to stumble through another day?
Yet there is work to be done…
They trudge in silence
bearing burial spices
each one lost in her personal pain.

Something isn’t right in the garden.
It’s much too bright – no grief hangs in the air…
and who could possibly have arrived before
to roll away that heavy stone?
Anguish gives way to confusion
and terror –
“What have they done with my Lord?”
“He is not here. He is risen!”

As confusion turns to comprehension
all existence transforms
from the heavy gloom of winter gray
to the shimmering vividness of glorious spring.
Death is overturned by life!
Darkness is pierced by shining light
Fear is shoved aside by hope
God’s love is revealed anew – a promise fulfilled.

Easter is the turning-point
Christ has risen!
Joy abounds!
Run! Shout! Dance! Leap with delight!
Your sorrow is lifted
God shares your life.
There is good news to be preached
so go and tell all –
Christ lives in us …
and we must embrace the world with love!

-- the Rev. Sue Judson Hamly
Easter, 2007
Copyright April 6, 2007