Alleluia Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed. Alleluia!!
That first announcement of the Resurrection of Jesus at the Easter vigil. Jesus is dead, he’s descended into hell. Everything he promised and all the hope he brought has died with him. His followers are despondent and broken hearted, his mother and some other women are going to tend his grave a couple of days later, but something has changed, something is different. They get there, the stone has been rolled away, there is a man in white who delivers those words that Jesus is alive. This is from the gospel of Luke ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ Jesus is alive. Alleluia.
I really like the Easter Vigil (Not just because hailing the resurrection on Saturday night means the end of Lent so there is a big bar of chocolate waiting for me when I get in!). The service is beautiful. It starts with last moments of Lent when everything is a bit quiet, the church is in darkness, remembering the history of the faith. The fall, the flood, the exodus, the dry bones before lighting the new fire, the Easter Candle then finally proclaiming the resurrection of Jesus, that brings a tear to my eye. In my churches in Birmingham and Oldham, as the Resurrection is proclaimed three times with those words, Alleluia Christ is Risen, He is risen indeed Alleluia, there would be incenses bellowing, bells ringing, clapping, shouting as all the lights were switched on and the candles were lit. It was an absolute assault on all the senses but what a way of welcoming in one of the most significant and important events of our faith. Jesus is risen from the dead and we shout it at the top of our voices! It always reminds me of the Björk song ‘It’s oh so quite…’ which starts so quiet and then suddenly you have loud music, singing, dancing and everything goes crazy!
Alleluia Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed Alleluia!
Jesus is risen, he’s left hell and is alive. One image I love from Holy Week is Jesus scourging hell, breaking the chains of the people who were trapped there to be resurrected with him, (there are some beautiful Icons in the Orthodox Church of this). Jesus brings life to all, even those who have gone before him to allow them to be with God.
Here we are nearly 2,000 years later still telling this story, still celebrating this event because of that promise Jesus made to us. Jesus said if you believe in me, listen to what I say, behave in the ways I did, follow my teachings and be the best you can be, there is a place for you with me. I think these words from one of my favourite hymns sums it up better than I could and I choose it for my first Mass which was dedicated to Jesus’ Resurrection, from Thine be the Glory (you’d have the same assault on the senses as detailed above during the chorus at the vigil):
Make us more than conquerors through thy deathless love;
bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
endless is the victory thou o’er death hast won.
Alleluia Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed. Alleluia!
Happy Easter
Rev Helen
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 