Easter Meditation 2017 N.T.Wright

John August Swanson (artist)

Easter is the Great Celebration of the church, the climax of all of history, the turning point in which God vindicated Jesus and exalted him as Savior and Lord.  Today, we are so used to thinking about this even in personal terms only.  Certainly, as Mary at the tomb, Jesus comes and personally calls to us, our name, as he did Mary's.  Mary was released from the torment of demons and worked closely with Jesus and his disciples according to Luke's gospel.  She finds herself distraught at the tomb and in her grief Jesus comes and transforms that sorrow.  However, Jesus also calls her to something else; to go and tell his disciples that he is ascending and will empower them to spread the Good News of God's transforming love to the world.  The work of New Creation as begun, and this message is a message for churches, societies, nations, as well as individuals.  The above is an explanation of the meaning of Easter from NT Wright author of numerous works on Paul and the Gospels.  Below is a meditative video from Art and Faith focusing on the resurrection.  May we rejoice and celebrate this day God's work in our world.

Artwork of John August Swanson

Faith and Art Loyola Press

NT Wright Home Page

Maundy Thursday or Holy Thursday in the Christian Tradition

Maundy Thursday comes from the Latin word meaning 'command', it is a service during Holy Week that commemorates Jesus time spent with his disciples celebrating the Passover meal.  It was during this meal that Jesus takes two important actions, first, he washed the feet of his disciples.  In doing this, Jesus not only set the example for the Christian life of service and humility but also specifically appoints the disciples to carry out his work and mission in his absence.  This priesthood of the apostles is different than the priesthood of all believers.  While all Christians are called to a life of service, leaders in particular embody this.  Secondly, Jesus gave his disciples the promise of his eternal presence when he broke bread and shared the cup representing his pending sacrifice.  Jesus demonstrates his priestly role as he prepares to offer himself as the ultimate sacrifice out of love.  When Christians celebrate Holy Thursday they also celebrate the Lord's Table, experiencing Christ's Presence in the breaking of the bread and the drinking of the cup and the Lord's mission of taking God's love to the world.

Fifth Sunday in Lent Meditation

Resurrection of Lazarus 1912

Death threatens life in the story of the raising of Lazarus, and János Vaszary’s Resuscitation of Lazarus invites us into the scene. This 1912 painting is a striking collision of styles: the figures recall the standardized style of Byzantine icons, while the background, color, and expression have a modern, vivid quality. This is revered tradition unfolding in the here and now, much like the Gospel message seeks to imbue our present day.

Listen to this meditation for the Fifth Sunday of Lent from Arts and Faith on the Raising of Lazarus and Jesus powerful action on death.  This Sunday we are encouraged to have faith in Christ and look to our future with hope and life.