Easter Day: Year A

The Sunday of the Resurrection

• Jeremiah 31:1-6 or Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43
• Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24
• Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43 or Colossians 3:1-4
• John 20:1-18

Easter Sunday begins the fifty days of the Easter season with the story of the empty tomb and the charge by the messenger to “go and tell!”

Paul Hammer writes, “In a setting that often made women subordinate to men, it is striking that women were the first to tell the story of Jesus’ resurrection. In Matthew’s story Jesus commissioned them to ‘go and tell’ (v. 10). The risen Jesus met these joyous women on their way and greeted them. They took hold of him and worshiped him, the one in whom God was so powerfully at work and who had entrusted them with such a message.” (“The Background Word,” in Word Among Us: A Worship-centered, Lectionary-based Curriculum for the Whole Congregation, United Church Press, 1995)

The church wears celebratory white and gold during Eastertide, as we learn again to recognize the risen Jesus where he is to be found. Jesus will be found in our midst, in our stories, in the breaking of the bread – and as we faithfully bare word of the reality of Christ’s presence to our world.

God of mercy, we no longer look for Jesus among the dead, for he is alive and has become the Lord of life. Increase in our minds and hearts the risen life we share with Christ, and help us to grow as your people toward the fullness of eternal life with you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. 

Related Articles

• 4/24/2011 Go and Tell (richbrownforewords.wordpress.com)
• The Resurrection of Our Lord (Building Faith)
• The Great Fifty Days of Easter (Prayer Book Guide)