Hope personified

We gather in the darkness, trickling in by twos and threes with our individual offerings. The air of anticipation is palpable, like our vaporous exhalations in the cool air. We cluster around the rough, damp wood of the altar, shuffling the leaves, our hushed voices tinged with excitement. We unpack our offerings: linens to dress the altar, heirlooms of lace and embroidery. Candles of varied shapes and sizes placed and lit, scenting the air and bathing us in their soft glow. Mementos and treasures all positioned as we circle the altar and wait for the stories to unfold. This is our Small Group Easter Visitation. We come together in the darkness and cold of a secluded outdoor chapel at sunrise on the Saturday before Easter to reenact the women gathering at the tomb to prepare Jesus’ body, hurriedly placed there after his crucifixion.One by one we share our testimonies, our traditions, our faith in and a hope born of the light no darkness can overcome.

What did those women go there to find all those years ago? They had stood by helpless as their Lord was tortured to death. No doubt they heard his cry as he gave up his Spirit. They had seen the sky turn black and felt the earth shake as the curtain separating them from the holiest of holies was broken in two. What must they have felt? Their whole world was broken in two and all they could turn to were their traditions to comfort them. They would come and prepare his body. Jesus who embodied all the love they could imagine. Jesus who treated them with compassion and respect and had even gathered the children to him, calling them the kingdom of God. Jesus who healed the sick with a touch and cast out demons with a word. Jesus who spoke in parables a child could understand but confounded scribes. Jesus who forgave sins. Why, had he not even forgiven the very people who had tortured and hung him on the cross to die? How could this have happened? Why had this happened? But he had said he was going to die hadn’t he? What was it he said, that he would die and be raised again on the third day?

In Jesus day, there was not a lot a woman could do to change her circumstances in life. If she was fortunate enough to marry well to a kind and generous husband, she might live a comfortable life, but that was generally out of her hands. I like to imagine that these women, used to settling for whatever lot they received in life, had learned something about hope from Jesus. Maybe they approach the tomb where they have every reason to expect his lifeless body to be, with an air of anticipation. His suffering and death had played out exactly as he had said it would even though they had not believed his foretelling. So why shouldn’t they expect the unexpected now, here, in the predawn darkness? Of course they are frightened at first, but they are more than ready to hear that Jesus lives! Imagine the exhilaration of that first Easter morning. Excitement making the women bolt from the tomb, stumbling over themselves in their rush to tell the Disciples the amazing news. This is hope personified! Jesus Christ defeats death, even death on a cross! Christ is risen, he is risen indeed! Allelujah!

Risen Lord, you are the light of the world that no darkness can overcome. You are hope personified. You are our saving grace, love come down to dwell among us. Where do I go from here? It doesn't matter as long as I am in your presence. That way I will always be at the right place at the right time.Keep me ever close Lord, and make me useful. In Christ's Holy Name, Amen.