Over these past three days, we have participated in something most unusual – in fact, absolutely unique in the history of humanity. God, the almighty, the creator of the universe and all that is in it, the maker of light and darkness, life and death, has died in his human form. As we recite in the Nicene Creed every Sunday, “for our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried.” Every Good Friday, silence envelopes the earth as it contemplates this terrible reality. We have put to death the one who gave us life! Over these past two days, no sacraments were celebrated. The altars were bare and the holy water fonts were empty. We contemplated the absence of Christ, for he has died.
But, his death was not in vain! Nor did Jesus, who worked so hard while he was alive among us – teaching and healing – rest in death. As we proclaim in the Apostles’ Creed, after he was buried, “he descended into hell.” We all know that this “hell” does not speak of the place where those who had rejected God are banished for all eternity, but rather that place where the faithful who had died before him awaited the opening of the gates of heaven, closed as a result of the sin of Adam and Eve. Even in death, our Lord was at work! He has overcome death and the prince of death and now has gone to raise those who were “dwelling in darkness and the shadow of death.”
In the reading from the prophet Ezekiel, we hear the Lord God promise, “I will take you away from among the nations, gather you from all the foreign lands, and bring you back to your own land.” Although those who heard this prophecy might have thought that they were being called back to Jerusalem, it was in reality a foretelling of their being called to the new and heavenly Jerusalem.
“On the third day he arose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” Thus, the Apostles’ Creed continues. Yes, our Lord has arisen, not to live again in this world, but rather to return to his glorious seat in heaven! And, he has taken with him all those who had served him faithfully here on earth, as he served his heavenly Father while he was on earth.
Like the women who went to the tomb, we too, are utterly amazed. But, we can rejoice for we know that Jesus is, indeed, raised from the dead. Death has no more power over him. Nor does it have power over us! We are, indeed, an Easter people and this evening, we rejoice in a special way as sacraments – signs of God’s continued presence in the world – will be administered in abundance. One among us, Alexandra, will receive the sacrament of Baptism and then she will be joined by Ashley and Adam who were previously baptized in another church. All three will receive the last two sacraments of initiation: confirmation and Eucharist. These are clear signs of God’s continued presence in our lives and we will all recall the time when we first received the gift of everlasting life as we renew our baptismal promises and are sprinkled with the Easter water. Let us rejoice, for our Lord has risen and in him we have the promise of everlasting life with him in heaven!