The Awkward Day After Easter

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Christ is Risen!

And while I'm extremely glad about that, today I was experiencing a bit of the awkwardness of the Easter season. It is such a transition from Lent. We go from asceticism to feasting; from focusing on death to life; from repentance to joyful reception. It's like walking out of a dark room into very bright light and our souls (like our eyes) need some time to adjust! We know that the best thing possible has happened: Death and hell have been defeated through Jesus' resurrection! We can be reconciled to God! New life in Christ has been made possible! And we may feel a little stunned.

I'm comforted when I think of the early followers of Christ. They sure needed some time to adjust too! Take a look at the gospels stories of the post-resurrection appearances of Jesus. There is fear, disbelief, and the inability to recognize Jesus. But Jesus is so patient and gentle (I think particularly of the scene on the beach with Peter in John 21) and eventually, this little group becomes the Church (but I'm getting ahead of myself to Pentecost!)

So, I think God will give me the grace to help me get accustomed to the reality of the resurrection - what it means for me personally and for the world as a whole.

He will do that for you as well. Enjoy this Easter season!

Comments

  1. AnnaApril 29, 2011 at 1:26 AM

    I often think about this too, especially when I consider the experience of the first disciples. I imagine their grief (so huge) over those few days after the crucifixion and then the contrasting joy and amazement after the resurrection. As you say, it definitely took some time for them to adjust and there was a transition time where unbelief or at least uncertainty gradually became belief and certainty. The John 21 passage shows this really well because we see that the disciples, even though they had already seen Jesus, have gone back to their old line of work as if they don't really know what to do with themselves.

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