I like cute bunny rabbits, peeping chicks, pastel eggs and flowers. I live in central Minnesota, so I'll have to wait a while for the flowers, of course.
That's not what Easter is about, though.
I'm celebrating the death - and, today in particular - resurrection of my Lord, Jesus the Christ.
One of my favorite songs is "He's Alive!" - sung by quite a few people, including Don Francisco. I posted an excerpt of the lyrics yesterday. Picking up from the end of those line:
"...Back inside the house againWe have the advantage - and disadvantage - of being separated from the resurrection of my Lord by a gulf of time. There's a good chance that I'll live to see the 2,000th anniversary of His death and resurrection.
"The guilt and anguish came
"Everything I'd promised Him
"Just added to my shame
"['Cause]Whenat last it came to choices1
"I denied I knew His name
"Andeven if He was alive1
"It wouldn't be the same
"Butsuddenly the air was filled1
"Withastrange and sweet perfume1
"Light that came from everywhere
"Drove the shadows from the room
"And Jesus stood before me
"With his arms held open wide
"And I fell down on my knees
"AndIjust clung to Him and cried1
"ThenHe raised me to my feet1
"And as I looked into His eyes
"Thelove was shining out from Him1
"Like sunlight from the skies
"Guilt in my confusion
"Dissappeared [!] in sweet release
"And every fear I'd ever had
"Just melted into peace...."
"...He's alive and I'm forgiven
"Heaven's gates are open wide..."
("He's Alive!" (Don Francisco), from Risa Song Lyrics Archive)
I can draw on the almost two millennia of accumulated wisdom, learning from the likes of St. Catherine of Siena and St. Augustine. I can read about the direct experiences of the apostles: but that's not the same as being there.
Besides, many people here in America have heard versions of what happened in and near Jerusalem so often that it's become a familiar tale. After all these centuries, I think it's easy to forget how stunning the events of that first Easter were.
Related posts:
- "He's Alive!"
(April 3, 2010) - "Good Friday, Catholic Beliefs, and Fitting In"
(April 3, 2010) - "Maundy Thursday, Holy Thursday: Yeah, It's a Pretty Big Deal"
(April 1, 2010)
1 I've edited this excerpt to reflect Don Francisco's words in this recording. I have no doubt that the lyrics as posted in my source are what was written originally: but singers have been known to make changes during performance - sometimes improving the song, which looked just fine on paper.
2 comments:
Department of Redundancy Department: "collected wisdom of almost two millennia of accumulated wisdom"
The Friendly Neighborhood Proofreader
Brigid,
Oops. Fixing.
Redundantly yours, The Bloogger.
Bother!
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