Easter ~ The New Beginning!

I must say that it was this song (Sunday Morning) by K-Os that pushed me to finally put together this playlist. The refrain repeats over and over "Everyday is Saturday night, but I can't wait for Sunday morning." It is such a happy and upbeat song, and I realized it fits perfectly into that transition between the emptiness of Saturday and the joy of Sunday. I heard or read part of an interview with K-Os, who spoke of the night life of Toronto and how everyone is so focused on the Saturday nights - the parties, the clubs, the hook-ups, etc. But there is just something different about Sunday morning that calls to us. Sunday hearkens back to memories of our grandparents' church and family meals. For us as Christians, there is also the sense that too often we get caught in the pain of Friday or the emptiness of Saturday. Every day of the week becomes a Saturday night - a time of excessive living in this world. But week after week, I find I can't wait 'til Sunday morning - Sunday when everything is made new, Sunday when we become aware of the risen Christ all around us, Sunday when we celebrate the joy of God's promises fulfilled.

Of course, I couldn't end with Saturday night. Even Mel Gibson threw a few seconds of Resurrection in at the end of his movie. Now that Sunday is here, we need to be reminded that Jesus is still here with us. Ben Harper speaks of the Picture of Jesus, which we keep with us "for the times [we] feel lost." Not only that but we ourselves are called to be a picture of Jesus. Though it may lead to our own crucifixion, we are called to continue to be a picture of Jesus for the rest of the world. We must listen to the prayers of those around us. We must use the gifts God has given us to be a blessing to those in need. As Christians, we claim to be the continuing body of Christ in this world. We are baptized into this body, and then the body is fed at the table. So this Sunday, and every Sunday, look at those gathered with you at the table to see a picture of Jesus. Then make sure that Jesus' ministry is carried on, so that others may know God's love.

Christ is risen indeed!