Alleluia

Adapted from the Easter Sermon for 3-31-24

(John 20:1-18)

What do you say, on a day like today?

A day that started in grief, then confusion, then, as the realization grows, becomes pure and absolute joy.

Jesus is not in the tomb. Jesus Christ is risen.

Mary’s tears change emotions as the person before her, likely blurred to her eyes by her own weeping, speaks her name.

Maybe her mind races as she searches her memory for how she would know this gardener. Maybe she wipes her eyes and sees clearly again. Maybe that voice finally registers.

Maybe her mind also comes back from the tomb as she turns to greet the risen Christ.

The disciples have returned home.

They have been stalled in grief, or maybe confusion. But they won’t be there for long.

Just as the tomb could not contain him, just as death could not contain him, this news will not and cannot be contained, either.

This news must be shared.

Christ is risen. Jesus, the risen Christ, lets her know what happens now, and what happens next.

This news is to be shared. He speaks to her.

Go, Mary, preach the Good News to the disciples themselves.

She does.

She goes, messenger of Easter, and she brings them the Good News as Jesus told her to do.

The message is shared and will continue to be realized as Jesus appears again and again to the disciples, meets with them, commissions them to continue on as Jesus ascends to heaven and the larger implications are realized.

Christ is risen. Sin and death no longer have the final say.

Christ has conquered them—has won. It’s a message for us, too.

The news of God’s grace given to us because of Christ’s actions for us is told again today. We are saved, and we are called to join in the celebration and share the Good News—to bring our voices to the song.

Easter Alleluias resound!

Alleluia! Join in the song. Each voice—your voice, every voice—brings something new to the song as it grows in beauty, scope, and majesty. Each one adds to the praise, the picture, and the understanding of what it is we are part of from generation to generation.

What do you say, on a day like today?

The tomb is empty because Christ is risen. All of creation sings for joy.

Now you have heard the good news, too. Add your Alleluia. Expand the song.