Sunday, April 12, 2009

Dearest God,

On this dark morning a single flame burned, a candle rising above the collection of white Easter lillies, daffodils and multi-colored tulips at the site of three crosses. Bare on Good Friday, a scene of death and loss, this morning it was bright, radiant as a sign of new life blooming. Easter had come.

As I lived in character on this, my final morning of Holy Week, I sensed the mystery of Easter erupting in my soul. As I looked into the faces of hungry souls, I realized once again why we "do" Easter every year, why we wade through the river of suffering during Holy Week to gain the final triumph on Easter morning. Our souls need it. We need an adjustment, a realignment of the soul. We need to reconsider where and how we have moved away from the path of spiritually healthy living.

This morning I was conscious of stories being lived out in our congregation: addictions, betrayals, losses, pains and sorrows. I knew why they had come. They were hungry for food, the kind that feeds the soul. Same reason I was there.

Easter happened in us today. We didn't just celebrate it with new finery and Easter eggs. Easter entered our souls because we opened the door and you came in.

Great Mystery,
you come
and enter us,
whispering to us
the truths
of the universe.
You challenge us,
leaving us
with questions,
wonderings,
marvellings
and we
welcome them
because
we welcome you.
Bestow on us
a greater faith,
dear God,
one that
we can
carry with us daily.
Help us
to see
not only
the benefits
but the privilege
we have
to share
our faith
with others.

With love to you, Andrea