April 16: Remembrance of and Thankfulness for Resurrection

Easter Recess: April 14-17

            We take this time to reflect on the meaning of Jesus’s Resurrection for our world. The Resurrection reveals that God’s love has the power to overcome violence and persecution. We remember that Jesus chose to appear to mourners and the hunted, those who most needed his message of hope and salvation. Because of all this, we give thanks to God for the miracle of Easter in our own time. May we continue our lives in the coming days and months with the same hope for salvation and triumph over oppression.

Photo by Ellen Kneeskern 18

Ellen encountered these Easter Trees, a Swedish traditional decoration made out of branches and colorful feathers, while studying abroad last spring in Uppsala, Sweden.

Grace: February 15 through April 16

Introduction

            Grace is a word used so often in our society and our faith that the word may seem drained of meaning. We hear of God’s unconditional grace for us and yet we continue to pass judgment on others and ourselves, constantly frustrated by the shortcomings of others and by our own failings. Because of this, we must take this time to make grace an intentional practice, so that we may live the truth of Jesus’ forgiveness for humanity every day.

            We begin our search for grace in acceptance. We can learn to appreciate our minds and bodies as God has created us. We can strive to see imperfection as an essential characteristic of humanity. Through embracing God’s gift of salvation through grace alone, we are freed to give up the pursuit of earning God’s love. This means forgiving ourselves for past mistakes. This means loving others despite their flaws.

            As we look forward to Easter and the Resurrection, we choose to make grace real again by practicing acceptance and forgiveness in our own lives.