Tuesday, April 14, 2020
The Rev. Rob Stevens
The Collect
O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen.
The Gospel
John 20:11-18
Mary Magdalene stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, `I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord"; and she told them that he had said these things to her.
Reflection
“The Dude abides.” Abide is not a word of our culture, yet the Big Lebowski made it famous for a time. The Big Lebowski is definitely NOT a family film, but a classic of my early adulthood. Yet, as we sit and process life as we are asked to stay home for the safety of all, abiding may be making a comeback. The Collect of Day hopes that we “may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory.” Abiding requires stillness, attention and patience. These are not my strongest attributes, but just like exercise I am finding out that even my weakest muscles can be strengthened and that even just a little improvement can make the world of difference. So as I sit and ponder what this day holds I am going to attempt to Abide in God’s presence. Pray for me my friends, as I assure you, I am praying for you that we may Abide in God and rejoice in the hope of what is to come!