The Moderator's Corner » Easter Message for Preachers. . .

Easter Message for Preachers. . .

2nd April, 2010 - Posted by nwilsonadmin - 3 Comments

Easter Message for Preachers . . .

April 4, 2010

Rev. Nancy Wilson

“May the Sun of Justice which never sets

Find this flame still burning;

May Christ the Morning Star

Who came again from the dead

Find His light brightly burning

In our hearts.” The Celtic Prayer Book

Sometimes I hear preachers complain about coming up with something new to say about Easter . . .

But, I think the point is not to say something new and shocking and innovative about Easter. Easter ought to be shocking all on its own.

And, people long to hear not something faddish and new-fangled, but, I suspect, “the old, old story” shared with passion and immediacy.

The point was never just what happened so long ago, but what keeps happening. And what is happening in our context, in our communities that makes Jesus’ resurrection real.

It is no mistake, that, hands down, it is the story from John’s gospel, of a lost Mary weeping for her beloved, that touches us, with its intimacy, is familiarity.

I always think of Elder Larry Rodriguez, at MCC Los Angeles, who when he read the gospel lesson, would always come to that place in the story, and get so choked up, he could not say, “Mary.” But, he didn’t have to — we knew the story by heart.

Somebody called my name. Somebody thought I was worth rising from the dead for. . .somebody cared enough to give me hope and help and a miracle, when I didn’t think it could happen.

And, Jesus rose not just for me, and you, but for all those who today have no justice or peace or a hope in hell. He ran to hell and back to tell us we don’t have to go there.

Don’t try to force something new at Easter. Just let the story lived in you, and in your ministry and in your people. You can’t top that story anyway, so don’t try. Just tell it, with love.

Remind everyone that death and hell are vanquished, that hatred and violence can be overcome, if we will only say yes. That the Creator of the Universe died and rose for us, and lives today in every act of compassion, justice and love we offer in that Name. Today.

Posted on: April 2, 2010

Filed under: Sermons

3 Comments

Tony Thieman

April 2nd, 2010 at 5:37 am

Amen! Amen! Nancy. Thank you for the wonderful words and reminders…and may be always be reminded, not just on Easter Sunday but each and every day, of the wonderful message that the “Creator of the Universe died and rose for and lives today (and everyday) in every act of compassion, justice and love we offer that that Name.”