Rev. Dale Ramsey Associate Organist

Living Easter

Allusions to spring fill the poetry of Eastertide. It was not accidental that the church set the celebration of Resurrection in the spring of our Western calendar. Keep in mind, of course, that in the southern hemisphere, it is the fall of the year, when things are drying up and slipping into slumber for their winter. I wonder what songs they sing and what verses their poets compose?

Perhaps this is a helpful thought to ponder, for indeed Resurrection and the new life we talk a lot about during Eastertide is not dependent upon the wobble of earth, nor the seasons of our lives. It is well to recall humanity is set apart from the realities of the rest of the cosmos in this regard. Even though our bodies be declining—even then we can have new life. Even if we are in the spring of our strength and beauty—even then we can throw life away.

The value of human life has little to do with age, wisdom, strength, or wealth. God loves all equally, and that possibility of new life which God offers is available to all regardless of circumstance. Easter can happen anytime.

One Easter hymn text I particularly enjoy references many of those allusions to spring. But, it goes beyond that. Let me share it with you:

Easter Carol, (author unknown)

Wake, O wake, Earth from your ice-bound slumber.
Live again bright flowers of Spring:
Clap, clap your hands O ye Sea Waves and Sing!

Wake, O wake, Break ye into laughter.
Life over death is victorious; Death no longer reigns!

Souls held captive, dull and sin-bound;
Held by Earth’s care,
Rise, rise on song-wings triumphant.
Rise, escaping earth’s thrall and snares.
Break ye into laughter
We are Life’s Heirs! We are Life’s Heirs!

More than life after death, Easter is about life while we yet live. Being heirs to life means more than waiting for our eternal reward. It means life lived in the present. God’s desire for God’s people is for current life to be rich in ways that transcend “dull and sin-bound” realities. God bids us rise! Live triumphantly, free of both the empty charms and the entrapments of the world. Live as Life’s Heirs.

-Dale

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