Happy Easter! I am always grateful that Easter is a whole season, not just one day, but fifty days. The wisdom in the liturgical calendar recognizes it takes an entire season for Easter to take effect and for the resurrection to sink in. We move slowly from shock or skepticism towards recognition of Jesus alive in our midst, then to joy, and then on to figuring out the implications of this joyful new life for the whole community, and afterwards to being sent out to the world with news of God’s resurrection and transformational power. Easter unfolding. New life taking root.
We in the diocese of Kootenay in 2025 are focusing on our value of “daring discipleship.” (from the values we adopted in Synod 2023 http://kootenayanglican.ca/pages/values-vision-mission). I invite you to hear the scripture stories over this Easter season with a keen ear for the disciples. How do the disciples absorb the news of the Resurrection? What makes them “daring”? Which disciples do you resonate with? The women telling their fellow disciples about the empty tomb only to have the others call their witness an “idle tale”? Mary Magdalene recognizing Jesus in the garden when he quietly says her name? Peter and John running to the empty tomb to see for themselves? Thomas likewise asking to see for himself, to put his own fingers in the wounds of Jesus. Like the couple from Emmaus who invite the stranger to eat with them and then recognize Jesus when he breaks the bread, where in your own life as a disciple have you experienced Jesus’ presence in the gathering of disciples? Like that same Emmaus couple, who said “Did not our hearts burn within us?”, when an explanation of scripture, in a sermon or bible study or your own reading, startled you into a vibrant and compelling understanding of what God is up to? Do you hear yourself addressed when Jesus says to the disciples “Peace be with you”.
Meditate or journal on the original disciples, imagining yourself in conversation with them. Where do these familiar stories from the Gospels and the Book of Acts connect with our stories? We are disciples too, people who have committed to follow Jesus because we have found in Jesus meaning and purpose and peace and freedom.
The resurrection of Jesus had the effect of making the disciples brave.
What makes you a “daring disciple”? Boldness for living with fullness of life. Determination to serve others. Fearlessness to change systems that harm people or creation. Audacity to confront evil. Vulnerability to express compassion.
I think the Resurrection life in God makes us bold because we know we are named by Jesus, loved and worthy. We belong to God.
May this season of Easter bring you renewed joy and bravery in following Jesus in serving God’s kingdom.
Yours in Christ,
+Lynne
