I added a video from Berklee College of Music that goes well into my own thought processes on this sermon called "I Don't Have a Song For That". Christ The King's own Joe Barnard helped produce this amazing video.
This was Pastor Mark's sermon at Christ the King Lutheran Church on April 20, 2014.
This was Pastor Mark's sermon at Christ the King Lutheran Church on April 20, 2014.
Gospel: Matthew 28:1–10
After the sabbath, as the first day of the
week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And suddenly there was a great
earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled
back the stone and sat on it. 3His
appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and
became like dead men. 5But
the angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; I know that you are
looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He
is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he
lay. 7Then go quickly and
tell his disciples, 'He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going
ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.' This is my message for
you." 8So they left the tomb
quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said,
"Greetings!" And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and
worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to
them, "Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there
they will see me."
Greetings to you in the name of Jesus Christ,
Just over a year ago, I took the train into Boston, met
my cousin’s wife, and watched the Boston Marathon, about a half-mile from the
finish line. After we cheered on my cousin, we navigated masses of humanity to
meet him. After enjoying the beautiful day, the festive and encouraging
atmosphere, and the thrill of watching the athletes strive for the finish line,
I was heading home on the train to Stoughton, when I started getting the text
messages asking if I was ok.
At that point, the 2013 Boston Marathon, was over much
earlier than it should have been, and while all of us anxiously waited for
information about what happened and how bad things were, I kept thinking about
how just hours earlier, everything was different. I remember walking around,
Boston, thinking about what an undertaking the Marathon was, and feeling good
about being present and sharing in a spirit of cooperation and good will with
so many other people. In the aftermath, as the goodness of the day was
shattered, I kept thinking about how such a thing that was so good would never
be the same.
On that beautiful day, last year, I wasn’t alone in that
feeling of loss and confusion, trying to comprehend how everything could
change, so quickly from peace and good will, to violent tragedy. This whole
area of the country was shocked that day, and as a collective, we shared in
this sick feeling, one that many of us, if not all of us, have experienced in
much more individual ways.
That sense of shock, is what all of creation experienced
about 2000 years ago, when Jesus Christ, who embodied the spirit of all those
marathon participants and spectators, was crucified. In fact, the shattering of
that peace was so great, the earth shook and the sky went dark, as signs that
things would never be the same.
Today though, is Easter Sunday, and we know that the tomb
is empty, we know that Christ has been raised. We know that sin and death do
not have the final answer, life and resurrection do.
But on this glorious morning, we are reminded that resurrection,
isn’t starting over. While life goes on, the past remains, all of it: the
wonderful memories, the painful reminders, and the deep absences of those who
have died. Easter, and the resurrection it promises doesn’t just magically
gloss over everything and make it all ok.
Rather, resurrection is about going forward, being made
new, in the promise that there will be new, wonderful memories ahead, and going
forward having learned from the lessons of the past. Most of all, resurrection
is being sure in the promise that while we can never replace those who have
died, the love of Christ that we have shared with them is eternal, and will
sustain and hold us who are living, and those who have died.
Tomorrow, just like they have for over 100 years, people
will gather to run the Boston Marathon, and many more will gather to cheer them
on. While the event will go on, it will be different this year. The grief,
pain, and losses have not disappeared, and there will be very real reminders of
all that has occurred. Yet the Marathon, will be resurrected, and difficult as
it may be, the race will be run, and the spirit that it embodies will be alive,
well, and stronger than ever. Tomorrow, the love that has helped so many to
endure, care for, heal, and grow, will make a clear witness against sin and the
destruction it brings.
Every day, as Christians, we live as a resurrected
people, an Easter people, raised in, with, and through Christ’s resurrection to
new and eternal life. And we have been raised to this new life for a purpose,
so that through us, God may carry-on the mission of Christ. The mission of
sharing peace, justice, hope, and love with all people, no matter what. The
mission of offering ourselves to the world, just as Christ offered himself. The
mission of staring down the sin that would attempt to tear us apart, with the
life of the one who unites us all, Jesus Christ.
This morning, on this Easter Sunday, we are gathered not
to celebrate a happy ending, but to be raised in the eternal resurrection of
Christ, so that together, we may grow in his love, and continue to run the race
that is before us, both now and forever.
In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
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