“Jesus is not here, but has risen”
Luke. 24:5 N.R.S.V.
Easter is a celebration in the Christian faith which denotes new life and new beginnings. A festive time in the church year were we all sing “Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia! Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!”. As disciples of Jesus Christ, it is also a time to renew and reaffirm our baptismal promises, which is both personal and communal. It can also come as a turning point in one’s life once we encounter the risen Lord. However, just like the women who went to the empty tomb that first early Sunday morning, this Easter transformation in us can be disorienting as well as reorienting.
Bishop Melissa Skelton wrote; Easter is about disorientation before it is about reorientation. Easter is about getting in touch with our deepest fears before accessing the freedom from fear and newness of life that the resurrection is really all about.
And so I wonder this Easter: what encounter in our personal and communal journey made us disoriented before we realize the truth of our deeds that led us to be reoriented in the love and power of the risen Christ. There will be challenges in our life that would scare us and bring our faith into test. The best way to deal with our fear is to face it with faith in the Lord. We should not run away with a disoriented heart.
Our task right now is to be oriented with the message of the resurrection, “To bring people to Christ.” To accept Christ as our Saviour and Lord is a personal journey. To bring people to Christ is our communal vocation. Let this calling guide our missionary zeal both now and forevermore. Amen!
Alleluia, Christ is risen! The Lord is risen Indeed, Alleluia!
Happy Easter!
The Revd. Louie Engnan
Rector, St. Michael’s, Surrey
Saint Michael's Anglican Church 