Though the Easter weekend has past, somehow it could almost feel like it never happened.
I have to admit that I didn’t do too well with my lenten sacrifice. I had intended that each day I would read a number of chapters in John, starting with the death of Lazarus and going to Jesus’ arrest in the garden. Despite having the time, with self isolation and social distancing becoming a reality, contemplative reading was not something I have done much of these weeks.
The one lenten practise I did maintain was a frequent, silent praying of what is known as the Jesus Prayer,
Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of God,
have mercy on me,
a sinner.
I put an image of it on my phone’s home screen, so I saw it every time I went to turn my phone on (and man, have I turned it on often during these days of Covid 19 updates and breaking news).
I have been constantly reminded, in the lead up to Easter, who I am in relation to Jesus. What he has done for me.
Then Easter, during this season of Covid 19, came … and went. No crescendo of voices on Easter morning, no large family gatherings, no face to face Easter embraces and greetings of “He is risen” to respond, “He is risen indeed.”
Yet …
The words of song, the words of an ancient creed, have been mulling in my mind for weeks …
The first writing of the Apostle’s Creed was in 390AD …
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of the saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
In this time of Covid 19, in the light shadows of the Easter weekend, we are called to the question,
what do I believe?
And the words of this Creed echo in my mind, in my heart. For this is what I believe is the essential belief of we, the Easter people. The people who follow, not blindly, but in faith of the one who died for our good … both here on Earth, but even more so, for the eternity that awaits us all.
So, my soul sings what I believe, reaching a solo crescendo … one reached by millions of followers throughout the ages.
We all have to answer the question of Pilate,
“What shall I do, then,
with Jesus who is called the Messiah?”
And I believe what I believe
is what makes me what I am
I did not make it
no, it is making me
it is the very truth of God
and not the invention of any man
I believe it
itsawonderfilledlife 