Why Do You Linger?
You had not imagined
that something so empty
could fill you
to overflowing,
and now you carry
the knowledge
like an awful treasure
or like a child
that roots itself
beneath your heart:
how the emptiness
will bear forth
a new world
that you cannot fathom
but on whose edge
you stand.
So why do you linger?
You have seen,
and so you are
already blessed.
You have been seen,
and so you are
the blessing.
There is no other word
you need.
There is simply
to go
and tell.
There is simply
to begin.
–Seen: A Blessing for Easter Day by Jan Richardson
We began Easter Sunday by proclaiming, “Christ is risen, indeed! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!” The news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is so astounding, one “Alleluia!” would not suffice. Of course, no words can fully express this incredible news at the heart of our faith. This is the glorious mystery of Easter. Jesus has overcome death. We are invited to work with God as God brings about a world where mourning, crying, pain, and even death are no more. What an amazing invitation!
In her poem Seen, Rev. Jan Richardson paints a beautiful image of our lives as Easter people. At the heart of the image is blessing. We have been told the story of God’s great love for us. We know that Jesus chose to love the world, even through death, so that we all may have life. We witness the result of God’s resurrection power through the Holy Spirit: the church. That’s us! What else could have transformed the disciples from scared and locked in a room to boldly proclaiming the good news other than God’s power? Why else would they have given up their own lives to share God’s story of resurrection for all the world? We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses throughout the ages. We are truly blessed to live in the light of Easter.
And so, Jesus asks us, “Why do you linger?” What are we waiting for? When we have news this good, we simply must share the news with others. As we are all members of the body of Christ, uniquely and wonderfully made, we will share in different ways. Some of us are mouths, proclaiming with our words. Others are hands, proclaiming with our tender loving care. We have feet among us, ensuring the good news reaches far and wide. The eyes and ears in our community help us see and hear those who are most in need of God’s love. We all have a role to play! As Easter people journeying through these 50 days of Easter (and beyond), let us reach out to our communities. Let us invite folks into the blessing that awaits. We have seen the Light of Light eternal, so let us go and tell of the power of the risen Christ. Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!