Easter Morning

Early in the morning, Mary comes to the grave of her friend… Today we lift up those who like Mary are  in grief, pain,  trauma, injustice, turmoil or distress. Those whose belief in change and possibility is dashed.  Let these be the first to glimpse hope, to feel grace– the grieving, the oppressed, those who have given up, those for who life has stopped. Let us proclaim, insist, celebrate, that unexplainable grace, unimaginable new life, unbelievable  transformation, comes first to these ones and flows across our aching troubled world.  Christ is risen. Alleluia

Words and image: Jennifer Henry

Easter 2022

Risen Crucified One,

recruit us to your conspiracy of hope.

Today in the chorus of the Creator’s impossible grace

may we sing together,

full throated,

a boisterous, Alleluia.

Amen.

Jennifer Henry (Easter 2021)

A Pandemic Alleluia

This year it is,

at best,

a whisper–

our pandemic Alleluia.

A song on mute, words mouthed.

The shadow of death, too long.

The sound of grief, too loud.

Maybe if we start small,

a tentative thumbs up,

a muttered “yes”

a heart felt “thank you”

a smile of recognition across a screen.

Nudging ourselves, with gentle pushes,

towards this incomprehensible Easter joy.

Lent was oddly fitting this year,

The mantle of mortality on a faint spirit.

The journey inward,

well, what were our options?

But now, as You bid us turn,

turn through dying to rising,

we remain bereft.

Holy Friend, this year,

we need you to look for us.

Look for us and find us in our grief and loss.

Find us in your pain and ours.

In your dying.

Be with us in struggle,

in letting go.

And then, take our hand.

Help us up, pull us through.

Join us to your rising.

Lift us up with you.

Strong pushes, hearty pulls

towards a future of justice,

and yes, of joy.

2020