Easter

May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you, O Lord, my refuge and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

SEASON: Easter
PROPER: C
PLACE: St. John's Parish, Kingsville
DATE: April 15, 2001


TEXT: Luke 24:1-10 - They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. . . . . . . . . . The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.

ISSUE: The women go to the tomb after the Sabbath in search of the body of Jesus to prepare it for burial. They find the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Where is the body?

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The thrust of this sermon which was preached from notes, was that the risen body of Jesus Christ is found in us. The story of the Prodigal Son, tells of the father who ends up having given everything away: part of the inheritance to the youngest son, the robe, the shoes, the ring of authority, the fatted calf, and the last of everything to the angry older son. The father, like Jesus on the cross, remains totally given away out of love. Everything now belongs to the sons of the father.
We Christians today need to be aware of how Jesus Christ was poured out for us in love. He is indeed risen and is the head of the church, but we are his body called to serve and give in the world we live in, which desperately needs what Jesus Christ came to offer.
The sermon also takes note of how Jesus both in his ministry, miracles, and parables called people into the party to celebrate the love and forgiveness of God. This celebration is often expressed through some kind of feasting or banquet: Lost Coin, Lost Sheep, Feeding of 5,000, Wedding in Cana of Galilee, Wedding Feast Parables, and the Last Supper. At the last Supper Jesus says as he feeds his gathered disciples and friends: “This is my Body, given for you.”