May 8, 2019

Victory

When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled:

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.

Where, O death, is your victory?

Where, O death, is your sting?”

1 Cor. 15:54-55

During the Easter season we celebrate Christ's victory over death. We remember that neither the powers of this world nor death have any hold over us. More than any other time of the year, we proclaim the power of the Resurrection.

In the current world climate with daily mass shootings, the bombings of synagogues, mosques, and churches, the rise of white supremacy and nationalism, the scapegoating of easy targets, wars and rumors of wars, it can be easy to forget this. It can be easy to forget that death has lost. It can be easy to forget that the powers of hell have been vanquished. It can be easy to forget all this because it seems as if these things, not Christ, have won.

Unfortunately too many people, when faced with the paradox of Christ's victory in a world filled with death, offer simplistic platitudes – a pie-in-the-sky-by-and-by attitude telling people it will all be okay in the end while doing nothing to help in the now. In the current climate, many people are wondering about that victory and whether or not they will be okay.

Christ died for the sin, and sins, of the world. Christ died to put an end to death. Christ died so that we might live. Christ embodies a death-defeating, life-giving power that can and will save and heal. But in order for that power to be unleashed in the world, we must live as if we believe it. We must live lives that challenge all that attempt to destroy what God has wrought.

For us to continue to challenge death and hate, for us to plant the seeds of love and inclusion, then we must continue to proclaim Christ crucified and resurrected, and we must feed, tend, and feed others. Only then will the victory of Christ be made known to the world.

Alleluia! Christ is risen!

Blessings,