No normal Easter By John de Gruchy
of hope had dawned, not just for the followers of Jesus but for the world.
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e won’t forget this Easter in a hurry. No crowded church services, no singing of triumphant hymns, few family gatherings, and no one searching for Easter eggs. The restaurants are empty, the coastal path closed, tourists absent, only police patrolling the streets, medics tending the sick, scientists searching for cures, shop assistants selling essentials, and politicians making decisions they do not want to make. How can we celebrate when everything we normally do at Easter is forbidden by law and presidential decree? But maybe this Easter is more like the first Easter than we think. There was nothing normal about that first day of the week when a few anxious women in Jesus’ inner circle went to the tomb to anoint his body with oil. Jerusalem, despite being crowded for the Passover, was in virtual lockdown following the crucifixion of three rebels for sedition. There were Roman soldiers everywhere, even guarding the tomb. But the women found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty.
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8 April 2020
Explain it as you will, believe, doubt or scorn, the event clothed in mystery, would soon change the course of history. Roman emperors re-wrote the calendar, dividing it between before and after this event, much as we will speak in years to come about the time before and after the pandemic. But whereas this epidemic is spreading disruption, fear and death, the message of the first responders to the risen Christ was that love had triumphed over evil, that the weakness of the cross had confounded the power of despots, and that a new day
In a world scarred by poverty, injustice, abuse, war, plagues and fake news, Easter speaks of the rebirth of life after the horror of death, the rekindling of hope in the midst of pessimism fueled by fear, and the possibility of building communities bound together by love made evident through acts of selfless kindness, courage and compassion. We don’t need all the trappings of a “normal” Easter to help us get the good news message. “Normal” Easters too often cloud our vision, preventing us from grasping the awesome truth that Christ is risen amid a chaotic world and despite the power of evil. If this pandemic does nothing else, may it focus our minds on how we live, what really matters, and the kind of world we should be working for. For Easter is not primarily a religious festival, it is the beginning of a world-changing, hopeful movement of justice, peace, human redemption and the renewal of creation. The truth is, Easter was never meant to be what we think of as normal. How could it possibly be when you remember how it all began.
Online Easter services and click on the YouTube icon. • Rain Church: Livestream at 10:00 on Friday (communion service) and Sunday via Facebook at RainChurchHermanus. • AGS Hermanus: Stream at 09:00 on Friday and Sunday via Facebook at AGSHermanus and YouTube (Visit The annual Passion Play at the agshermanus.co.za and click you the Old Harbour in Hermanus is also a YouTube icon). long-standing tradition which will • Shofar Hermanus: Livestream not be taking place this year because of the Coronavirus pandemic. at 09:30 on Friday and Sunday on Facebook at ShofarHermanus or visit shofaronline.org and search for This is especially hard to bear in a Hermanus by clicking on the ‘Visit a time when we are more in need of Church’ link. solace and hope than ever before. • Every Nation Church: Recordings However, while church doors are closed, this does not mean residents of the services will be posted on Facebook at Every Nation Church need to miss out on the traditional Hermanus. Good Friday and Easter Sunday • Our Lady of Light Catholic services. Almost all local churches Church Hermanus: Videos of will be broadcasting their services services are uploaded daily on Facevia their websites, Facebook pages book at Our Lady of Light Catholic or on YouTube. Church Hermanus. For those wanting to watch the vari- • CRC Hermanus: Livestreaming Friday at 09:00 on Facebook at CRC ous services, here are the details: Hermanus and on crc.org.za. On Sunday services will be livestreamed • NG Kerk Hermanus: Livestream on Facebook at 08:30, 10:30 and at 09:30 on Friday and Sunday. The 18:00. services can be followed at avlme• United Church: Videos of services dia.co.za/hermanusngk • NG Kerk Onrus:Streaming at 08:30 will be posted on Friday and Sunday on Friday (communion service) and on Facebook at United Church Hermanus and on uchermanus.com Sunday. Visit ngkonrusrivier.co.za Christian worshippers all over the world will be unable to come together as communities of faith this weekend to celebrate Easter, a time when church pews are usually overflowing.
