EASTER: THE POWER OF LOVE

Easter is not a feast that the church celebrates only one day of the year. The 50 days between Easter and Pentecost are known as the Eastertide, a time of focused reflection on the mystery of the Resurrection and who we are called to be as part of a new creation. Of course, every Sunday is also a mini-celebration of the Resurrection.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry is fond of saying, “If it’s not about love, it’s not about God.” Scripture tells us that God is love and “everyone who loves is born of God” (1 John 4:7-8). In fact, we are created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26). We are, then, created out of love, in love, and for love.

Jesus Christ, on the other hand, is more than the image or likeness. He is the exact imprint of God’s very being (Hebrews 1:3), love incarnate embodied for us. So, when Jesus was raised from the dead, it was love that defeated and survives death. We pass from death to life because of love.

Love is of our essence and we live, we truly live, when we love. Moreover, “those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them” (1 John 4:16); so we are never to turn our backs on love. This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and each time we receive Holy Communion, we receive what we are to become – more fully the Body of Christ for the world, love incarnate, love within. “If we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us” (1 John 4:12).

Easter is about the power of love. It matters not whom you love, but that you love.

Love as you are loved by God … and us.