Practicing Resurrection

Dear Friends,

I am still cherishing the memories of our Easter Day worship at St. John’s. The church, filled with neighbors and friends of every generation, including many families with children. Two beautiful babies, welcomed into the household of God through the waters of baptism. Piano, organ, trumpet, trombone, and flute combining with voices from the choir and congregation. Lilies and a flowering cross, coronation hangings, a glowing paschal candle and bundles of rosemary to sprinkle the congregation with baptismal waters. Easter baskets and plenty of eggs to hunt for children of all ages and stages. A eucharistic feast of bread and wine – where all are welcome. A table spread with Easter brunch delights to satisfy every appetite.

There was something for everyone, and I can say with confidence that our abundant celebration of Jesus’ resurrection had an impact on us all. 

In our reading from the Book of Acts for today, we catch a glimpse of the impact that the resurrection had on the earliest community of Jesus’ followers. We are told that the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and everything they owned was held in common. “There was not a needy person among them.” The resurrection had such a dramatic influence on them that it caused them to think differently about everything - even their possessions. Their newfound faith in the risen Jesus cultivated a spirit of generosity and compassion so great that it became unacceptable for anyone in the community to go without their needs being met.

I find it fascinating that, when we hear this description of the earliest Jesus followers and what bound them together in community, there is not one mention of any doctrinal positions they held in common. Not a word about gathering in a room to argue the finer points of theology so that, once they all agreed, they could really belong together. Instead, the testimony of the apostles to Jesus’ resurrection led to real, practical, life-changing action in the world, as evidenced by the fact that every individual in the community had the basic necessities of life covered. The community practiced resurrection.

Perhaps this is what Easter is actually all about-not theory, but practice. In the words of one writer, “it’s the bursting into this world of a new creation that plays by different rules, where love calls us to work for the flourishing of every single person and of the whole creation.”*

I don’t think our response to the book of Acts ought to idealize the early church. It had its own set of issues and challenges. Instead, I think we are invited, even called, to join in and continue the work the early church began. To practice the resurrection is not just to hold some specific theological convictions and defend them at all costs. To practice resurrection is to join in the work of stewarding a new creation that is already emerging, right here and now. Just think about what you saw at church last Sunday.

In Christ,

Amelie+

*Josh Scott, “Resurrection Life,” in The Christian Century, March 2024 edition.