That was the greeting in church this morning. I was picking my way across an icy parking lot on my way to the Easter Sunrise service, and a gentleman I know called out to me, "Christ is risen!" Without missing a beat, I called back, "Christ is risen indeed!"
It's something I learned from the Methodist church. I don't recall ever hearing anyone using that particular exchange in the Catholic churches I attended as a child. I think it might sound a little too Pentecostal. Anything that even hints at arm raising and speaking in tongues is a little suspicious in Catholic circles. We're more of the candle-lighting, falling-asleep-in-the-pew brand of Christians.
One of my favorite things about Easter is the variety of worship services that take place during the week leading up to today. There's the dark and solemn (Good Friday). There's the procession from darkness to light (Easter Vigil). And then there's raucous and loud (Easter Sunday). There are many opportunities to feel the presence of the Holy Spirit during Holy Week.
The only problem is that I'm usually pretty tired come Easter Sunday afternoon. It's all the music and worship, late nights and early mornings. For instance, I got home from the Easter Vigil at around 11 p.m. last night. I got to bed around 12:30 a.m., and my alarm went off at 6:30 this morning. I was at church by 7:15 a.m. to get ready for the Easter Sunrise service at eight o'clock. This service, which I thought was going to be just left of disaster for various complicated reasons, turned out to be the most beautiful and meaningful. The readings, music, and message all rocked.
I've had a great Lenten/Easter season. Lots of surprising God moments. It's sort of been like today's weather. Cold and windy sometimes. Blue sky and sun right now. That's what it's all about. Periods of desert and periods of communion.
Christ is risen, Saint Marty. He's risen indeed..
Confessions of Saint Marty
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