Notes from a Sojourn
April 14, 2020
Fifty Days
Easter is more than a day. It’s a season.
The fifty days of Eastertide are given to sustained meditation on the authority of Jesus’ life for all humanity for all ages – an authority attested to by his resurrection, ascension, and the bestowal of the Spirit.
During these fifty days take time to rediscover the numerous Gospel accounts of encounters with the risen Jesus. He shares the peace of God’s forgiveness of sins. He shares God’s delight in our lives over food and drink. He shares God’s heart with those who love him. But he’s not back to resume life as it was before.
Perhaps to our surprise, none of the resurrection encounters are engineered by prayers or ritual. The risen Jesus intrudes into the midst of people’s lives unexpectedly, is often unrecognized, and speaks in the imperative: “Go,” “Proclaim,” “Throw your nets,” “Make disciples,” Baptize,” “Feed my sheep.” Jesus isn’t back from the dead to teach us the commandments of God; he is God commanding us!
Colin+
