I Have Seen the Lord!

John 20:11-18     Holy Bible - English Standard Version

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb.  And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.   They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?"  She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him."  


Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?  Whom are you seeking?"  Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away."  


Jesus said to her, "Mary."  She turned and said to him in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher).  Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'"  Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, 

"I have seen the Lord..." 

Happy Easter!

It's Not About Bunnies!

I don't have anything against bunnies, really I don't.  They are all cute and furry.  It's just that Easter is the celebration of the most wonderful event of all history and bunnies really didn't even get a mention. 

So, let's stay focused.  Pet a bunny, hide Easter eggs if you like, but attend your church today and really think about what the Resurrection Story means for us.  It means we don't have to hang onto our fears.  We can let go of the things from our past that bring us shame.  We are fresh and clean, thanks to Jesus!

Today my husband will greet the congregation with, "He is risen!"  And we will respond with jubilation and joy,

 "He is risen indeed!"