I have always
loved Easter traditions – the flowers, the special new outfit, the music, the
food, the family gathering. And there’s
the egg-coloring with the kids, hiding baskets of goodies for them, Easter egg
hunts.
But how will we
celebrate Easter in quarantine? Most of
the traditions I can think of would be impossible or would be “virtual”
realities.
Time to rethink.
What was the first Easter like? Not all of
that. They had a sad and
confusing meal. Then one of their number
deceived and betrayed them and left.
Then they all went out to an olive grove where their leader spent the
night in groaning and prayer, and asked them to also. They disappointed him and fell asleep. Suddenly the deserter came back with armed
guards and took their leader away. They
scattered. Some of them watched him
die.
Then they went
into hiding. While still hiding out,
some of their women sneaked out to Jesus’ grave, which was guarded by soldiers,
and came back saying they saw him alive.
More confusion and chaos. Dare
they believe it?!
While still in
seclusion, they waited. What else could
they do?... They waited and prayed in
the midst of terror and visions of Jesus appearing and disappearing. It must have all been very disorienting. So much changed so quickly.
Then they tried
to go back to their old jobs and make a living, but everything in their lives –
their whole world – had changed. Finally
the resurrected Jesus gave them new orders.
They all had a new life and new jobs.
It was a new day they never could have imagined before. (Read the book of Acts to see what that life
was like.)
I see some
parallels between the condition of the disciples in hiding, and our current
social distancing, do you? Rapid change,
fear and uncertainty, unparalleled events, and separation from others.
Pause. Let’s rediscover the First Easter this
year. Let go of the layers of tradition
which don’t work while we are “sheltering in place.” Wait on God.
Pray. Perhaps God has a new life
and new jobs for us after this.
