March 29, 2023

“For to your faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not ended.” – BCP 382

This was the refrain from my sermon this past Sunday. The gospel story was that of Lazarus being raised from the dead by Jesus. I pointed out that there were several times where Lazarus' life was changed, not ended.

It was changed when he encountered Jesus and became a friend and disciple.

It was changed when he died and was able to participate with angels and archangels in the singing of the eternal hymn.

It was changed when Jesus recalled him from a life immortal back to this life mortal.

It was changed when he began to publicly proclaim the Good News of Jesus after coming out of the tomb.

Lazarus experienced several episodes where his life was changed, not ended.

Reading through the Burial service I am constantly reminded of how hopeful it is.

“Whoever has faith in me shall have life, even though he die. If we die, we die in the Lord. For to your faithful people, O Lord, life is changed, not ended.” These and other sentences remind us that we are the Lord's possession, that life changes not ends, and that we live in hope.

I mention all this for two reasons. The first is that next week is Holy Week. Next week we will once again participate with Jesus in his Passion and Resurrection. Next week we will be reminded that in order to get to Easter, we must go through Good Friday. Next week we will be reminded that in order to get to resurrection, we must first die.

The second reason is that on Monday, after a long illness and declining health, my dad died. Like all people, he had his flaws; but like most people, his goodness outweighed those flaws. He didn't quite make it to Easter, but in his death I am reminded that life is changed, not ended. I am reminded that he is the Lord's possession. I am reminded that death always precedes resurrection.

Next week we will once again walk with Jesus in his time of suffering and death, and we will live in the hope of the resurrection.

These past several months my family has walked with my dad in his suffering, and now his death, and we live in the hope of the resurrection. All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Even in the midst of death, this is the hope we proclaim: the hope of the resurrection, the hope of Alleluia, the hope of life everlasting, and the hope of a life changed not ended. This is our hope.

May you have a blessed Holy Week and a joyful Easter.