[RCL] Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 65:17-25; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 or Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18 or Luke 24:1-12 Alleluia! Christ is risen! But as today’s Gospel begins, no one gets that yet. Mary Magdalene came to the tomb this morning, not to rejoice, but to weep and mourn. The man whom she believed…

Note: This sermon includes references to an icon that can be downloaded via a link at the bottom of this page for distribution to the congregation. Alleluia, Christ is Risen! The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia! This morning, I want to say a word about Easter, a word taken from one of the great Eastern…

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby’s Easter Day sermon preached at Canterbury Cathedral. ‘A World Transformed, A Life of Hope’ Luke 24:1-12 Last night, at Harty church, on the tip of Sheppey, with the wind howling, lit by candles, warmed by one another, we celebrated the light of Christ that, full of joy and hope, we…

Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark…things happen early in the morning. Mornings are mystical and sacred, the earth rises from its slumber to greet the coming day, but this morning did not feel mystical, this morning did not feel sacred. Mary Magdalene did not want to get out…

He is risen! This is the proclamation for the day. This is the celebration that brings us here. This is the truth we know. A number of comics that appear in the newspaper around Easter time can be expected to touch on themes of Holy Week and Easter. A “Wizard of Id” strip from 2001 was…

In a recent essay, Nora Gallagher talks about practicing resurrection. It is a splendid phrase, “practicing resurrection.” She wonders whether we spend too much time in the church discussing whether we believe in the resurrection or do not believe in the resurrection. By doing this, she thinks, we may miss the point. She writes: “When…

aster moves around a lot from year to year. Unlike Christmas, which always falls on December twenty-fifth, no matter the day of the week or the number of shopping days since Thanksgiving, Easter can fall on most any Sunday between March twenty-second and April twenty-fifth. There is, in fact, an entire section of the Book…

He rose out of obscurity and made a tremendous impact on his nation. Crowds of people gathered wherever he was, fascinated by him. The authorities felt threatened; it seemed like all the old ways were up for grabs. Families quarreled over what he did. Those devoted to him sensed that a new era had begun….

Note to the Reader:The Easter Acclamation is to be used as a call-and-response “refrain” throughout the sermon, repeating it three times at the end. Alleluia! Christ is risen!The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia! Or is he? Book after book, magazine article after magazine article, movie after movie, all try to tell us just who this…