by Deacon Sandy Grier

Sandy is currently serving the Southern Clinton C0unty Parish, Upper Susquehanna Synod

“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore, we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. For whoever has died is freed from sin. But if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So, you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” — Romans 6:3-11

40 years ago, this past December, my only brother died in a hunting accident. It was the worst day of my life. He was 22. I answered questions friends and family members had about what happened as they went through the receiving line. I wrote thank you notes. I cleaned out my brother’s room and spent as much time with my parents as I possibly could. My father retired early to spend more time with my mom. Rick and I both worked for the same company, so it was very difficult going back to my job.

As we walk our Lenten journey, I think of the disciples who following Christ’s death, were huddled in a room wondering what to do now. I think of the women who went to the tomb not thinking about who would roll away the stone so they could prepare His body. I think of the angel who assured the women that Christ was not there because he had risen and told them to share that good news with others. I think of Peter who was brave enough to unlock the door and run to the tomb.

As we go through life, we will have joy and tragedy happen to us and to those we love. We might want to huddle in our room and wonder what to do next. However, like the women at the tomb, we have the assurance that Christ has risen and that we too need to go and tell. We are a people of hope. We are followers of Christ. One day He will return, and we will be reunited with the ones we love. We must hold on to that promise. Until then, unlock the door as Peter did and share the Good News with the assurance that Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!

Let us pray: Dear Lord, help us to leave the locked room and share the Good News – Help us to remember that you loved us enough to sacrifice your Son for us and raise Him on the third day. Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Amen.