EASTER VII
May 29, 2022
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.” (Mark 10:14b, 16)
The celebration of Easter, rejoicing in the miracle of Christ’s triumph over death and the grave, has continued in our churches for seven weeks. Next week, we’ll celebrate the Day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon a great crowd, filling them with grace and faith in the risen Lord, God’s Son, the promised Messiah. These joy-filled events within our church year of observances are in a harsh contrast to the heart-wrenching news of the murder of young children this past week. Is there any reconciliation, any connection to be found here?
Let’s quiet our spirits, gather our thoughts, and consider the core message of Easter. God’s creative word has power over sin and death, over the forces of evil, and therefore we are assured that we will never be away from his loving care. If we are filled with doubts and uncertainty, remember, our faith is not our own doing; rather, it is a gift, given to us by the grace of our heavenly Father. (Romans 3:24; Ephesians 2:8)
As long as humans have been in relationship with God, whether worshiping, praising, or faced with overwhelming fear and loss, we can search his Word and listen for his voice. If we feel we are about to lose all faith and hope, Christ draws us close, with the promise that his love and compassion will never fail.
The Apostle Paul wrote to the new church in Rome, encouraging them in the strongest terms, going to the core belief that God has us in his care and protection.
What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else?
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:31-32, 38-39).
Whether we’re trying to wrap our minds around the tragedy of children murdered in their school or cope with a loss that’s close to our hearts, there are no easy answers. We can, however, advocate and stand up for what we believe is right, strengthened by the knowledge we can never be separated from the love of God. We continue to keep the grieving families in Texas in our prayers, in the hope that in time they will find some measure of peace through the patient, everlasting love of our Father in heaven.
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)
Holding fast to the promise,
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers