Easter Strong

I do not know where it all started.  Was it ABC Evening New’s ongoing upbeat series 'America Strong' that highlights ordinary people doing positive and inspiring things? Moments after the horrendous bombings near the finish line of the Boston Marathon last year college students were making t-shirts with ‘Boston Strong’ splashed across the front in bold letters. ‘Boston Strong’ began out of a response to a senseless violent act of hatred and cowardice and expressed a knee-jerk, heart-felt response of vigilant defiance that connected with a city on edge and the entire nation. At first, proceeds of anything with the ‘Boston Strong’ logo were directed to charities aiding the victims, but since the phrase was never copywrited there is no way to know today if all the shirts and trinkets on sale in the Boston area are going to their intended beneficiaries.  That is unfortunate. The desire to stand with the victims and the city of Boston spread up interstate 95 where I live to New Hampshire’s commuting outer ring: I have heard ‘Seacoast Strong’ on the radio as groups organize outreach events at the anniversary of the bombings.

My intent here is not to denigrate or be cynical of what began as a natural response for a people in a nation with 9/11 forever in our DNA. Far from it. I see this generous and spontaneous use of the phrase ‘Boston Strong’ as a way for us to understand and experience another movement of horror, loss, anguish that the Cross on Good Friday represents as believers move towards Easter Day. 

The chronology of events in Jerusalem is the focus of the church during these three holy days of the Triduum -- Jesus’ betrayal, trial, beating, crucifixion, death and burial. A whirlwind of events and cascade of emotions for Jesus himself and his followers. It is not hard for us to imagine how his friends must have felt. The gospels speak of their scattering for fear that they too may meet the same end. Yet on the third day, we point to the events that followed the discovering of the empty tomb. In his death and resurrection, Jesus became the Christ for those who could not fully believe when he walked among them. Jesus became the Christ for those who would never talk with him, meet him along the roadside, and watch him heal and teach.  The Risen Christ becomes the ultimate phoenix moment of flight from the ashes.  The cosmic battle of evil and good plays out in an event that is joined by followers through the centuries.

We preach that in the Resurrection of Christ, God’s victory over sin and death is complete.  The first step of belief can begin to radiate in our daily lives.  In the face of evil then and now, hope wins. Light is stronger than darkness. After amazing defeats in our lives, there is by God’s grace a road map ahead for life. Love wins.

So Boston, I join your valiant response with a great truth: Jesus Strong.  Christ Strong. Easter Strong. Alleluia, Alleluia!