Overtaken by Events

 The link for this week's live-streamed service is here.

Hard to believe it was only one week ago that we assembled in Cy Hampson Park, looked out at the ocean and shouted "Christ is Risen, He is Risen Indeed, Hallelujah!"

The sudden death of Pope Francis just a few hours later brought sorrow amid our jubilation. The upcoming election dominated our news cycle, eclipsing even a passing public reference to Easter. Even our church building was used for an all candidates meeting, and today, voting day, it is a polling station.

sanctuary and hall set up for meeting

The out-to-lunch bunch met at the BC legislature dining room for a springtime outing. Tourist season is ramping up.

Pondering the menu

Yet only a week ago we celebrated Easter, the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

I think the mad dash of events this week serves as a good reminder of the speed with which the final events of Christ's earthly life occurred.  On Palm Sunday the crowds in Jerusalem shouted "Hosanna!" By Friday they shouted "Crucify!" No wonder His followers felt lost and frightened and bewildered. How could such a calamity happen at all, let alone so quickly?

And then -- Christ rose from the dead. He appeared to the women at the tomb. He appeared to the disciples in a locked room. He showed Thomas His wounds. He ate breakfast with Peter and some other disciples on the shore of Lake Gallilee. 

If we feel overtaken by events this week, imagine how Christ's first followers felt. 

They went from excitement and joy to deepest grief and despair, then to exultation and, finally, understanding. 

Sunday's sermon mentioned how much is expected of a winning sports team -- media moments, parades, appearances at charity events -- being a winner is hard work.

For the followers of Jesus, His Resurrection was "winning." They couldn't go back to their old lives, they couldn't just go fishing. Now they had to preach and teach, travel and suffer. They had to walk in the footsteps of Jesus. It was hard and dangerous work. Yet they did it with love and glad hearts, for Jesus, our Lord, is risen.

As the events of this coming week fill our calendars -- I hope you all vote -- let us remember to meet our tasks with a glad heart and the joy of the risen Christ.

Sorrow

Let not your heart be troubled
Ye believe in God
Believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions
If it were not so I would have told you.
I go to prepare a place for you
And if I go to prepare a place for you
I will come again and receive you unto myself.

It has been a sad week at SPPC with memorial services for two of our members.  We shall miss seeing them at Sunday worship.  We'll miss them at the coffee hour.  We'll miss their helping hands and willing hearts in any number of tasks.  One was an elder.  We'll miss his knowledge and service on the Session.

Our community will miss them, visiting at Saanich Peninsula Hospital, volunteering for the Peninsula Emergency Measures Organization, serving in their recreational clubs, sharing encouragement and Christian love.

No one will miss them more than the families they leave behind.  Those who will witness day after day, the empty chair at the table, the missing note in the music of family life, the silence where once there was laughter.

At times like these the love and care of the congregation shines through the gloom like a beacon, pointing toward the Light of the World.  A card in the mail box, flowers at the door, an invitation to coffee, shared tears, music, ritual, food.  All these small acts bring comfort and show forth the love of God. 

It has been a sad week at SPPC but we give praise and thanks to God for the gift of Jesus.  Thank God that grief and sorrow is not the end of life, but the beginning of eternal life.  We commend our brother and sister to God's care in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection when all believers will meet again in Christ.