In a weekend that has seen life spring forth so abundantly from the earth, there seems to be some logic in celebrating the idea of resurrection today.
And yet, this morning, we must not only celebrate the resurrection visible in nature, but also the risings that take place within our own lives.
We gather together this morning to celebrate a spirit that cannot be destroyed no matter how many small deaths it suffers:
Joy overshadowed by worry
Courage overshadowed by fear
Charity overshadowed by selfishness
Love overshadowed by indifference
Each of these is a death of the spirit.
Each of these is an opportunity for resurrection.
Eternal and Beloved
Source of all life and all love
We come together this day grateful for this time out of time given to us so that we might become more present to ourselves, to each other, and to the holy.
May our hearts be opened together.
May our spirits be lifted together.
May we find in this community the power to rise when we feel tempted to give in and surrender
May we each find a way to be the source of courage and a rising spirit within the life of another.
May we renew our commitment to act from a place of love rather than a place of fear.
Amen