We are still in the Easter season so I thought it was fine to share my Easter sermon/poem. Here is a bit of a reminder to continue to look to new life. Inspired by Wendel Berry’s wonderful poem!
So, friends, every day do something
that won’t compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it…
…Practice resurrection.
(Wendel Berry; “Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front” from The Country of Marriage, Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. 1973)
An Easter Manifesto
Come out! Come out of your hiding places!
Everything has changed beyond our sight,
shaken open by God’s powerful Love
which cannot die, cannot be stopped.
The Tomb of Jesus is empty! He is
not there! He is Risen! Alleluia!
Open your eyes, dry the tears
Jesus lives. His face shining brightly
in the lives of friend and stranger alike.
Love your friends and love others knowing
that you are loving the Living Jesus in them.
Open your hands to be filled for sharing
what you have with others. Reach out
with compassion to those in need, feed them
as you have been fed. Hold hands and pray.
Open your heart to feel God’s deep love.
Feel joy in human connection and spiritual
experiences. Let love overflow like rivers leaving
their banks with power to change the landscape.
Open your life to the abundance of God’s gifts
for you. Step out with truth to speak Love in the world;
to undam to the waters of justice; to give life.
Live resurrection
in all you do today. The power of fear is ended.
Take resurrection
wherever you go today. Walls fall before God’s love.
Speak resurrection
in every word you utter today. The Enemy is silenced
and God’s WORD bursts in colorful blossom
from the barrenness of dead wood and cold stone.
So come out! Come out of your hiding places!
Everything has changed beyond our sight,
shaken open by God’s powerful Love
which cannot die, cannot be stopped.
The Tomb of Jesus is empty! He is
not there! He is Risen! Alleluia!