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Chapel of the Resurrection |
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NEWS
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News, Events &
Commentary
By Rev.
Robert Hoekstra, Chaplain
Reflections of the Easter Season
We have recently journeyed through Holy Week and all of it’s wonderful
services. We were moved by the music and message of Good Friday as we
came in our thoughts to Calvary and remembered what Jesus did for us by
offering himself on the cross. We lifted up our hearts on Easter and
commemorated Jesus resurrection from the dead and the fact that eternal
life is ours through faith in Him. What blessed reminders. What
essential truths to be affirmed again and again. We do this in our
communion service when we say, “Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ
will come again.”
We are Easter people. We learn that the message of Easter is the same as
the message of Advent and Christmas . . . “Be not afraid.”
We think back to the seasons of Advent and Christmas when we heard the
angel’s words to Zachariah, to Mary, to Joseph and to the shepherd on
the hillside, “Fear not!” Then on the morning of our Lord’s resurrection
as the women came to the tomb, they encountered an angel who told them
the same thing. Upon leaving they ran into Jesus who said the same thing
to them. The message of Easter in the message of Christmas. The message
is the gospel - good news of great joy for all people.
“Do not be afraid!” is a message we need to hear again and again. We
watch the news and see the devastation of earthquakes in Japan and
tornados in the South. Gas prices continue to increase and one wonders
what may be their next health crisis. We are Easter people. We live in
the realities of being part of a world broken in so many ways. But our
call as the people of God is to not live in fear by live in faith. The
same Jesus who spoke peace to a troubled sea in the gospels is the same
who speaks peace to us who find ourselves struggling and perhaps even
drowning in the fears and uncertainties of life.
Faith does not make us immune from difficulty. It does not guarantee
that life with always be good. Faith does, however, give us someone to
trust in to guide us in our good days and who will be beside us in our
tough times.
Because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead we have hope.
Hope is not simply wishful thinking or keep our fingers crossed that
life will get better. Hope is confident assurance that is based on a
person - Jesus Christ, and a promise - that he has opened up the door to
life eternal.
Easter people, raise your voices, sounds of heaven in earth should ring.
Christ has brought us heaven’s choices; heavenly music, let it ring.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Easter people, let us sing. Fear of death can no
more stop us from our pressing here below. For our Lord empowered us to
triumph over every foe. Alleluia! Alleluia! On to victory now we go.
Every day to us is Easter, with its resurrection song. When in trouble
move the faster To our God who rights the wrong. Alleluia! Alleluia! See
the power of heavenly throngs. We need not live in fear. We can live
in faith. We are Easter people!
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