After jokingly sending a meme to some friends yesterday from the movie Groundhog Day that said "It's going to be cold, it's going to be gray, and it is gonna last you for the rest of your life," I woke up this morning in a pretty good mood.  I was reflecting with Sarah on why that might be and realized that yesterday afternoon and evening I had the chance to see some of you on Zoom for the Check in with Fr. Josh time and our confirmation/reception class.  Being in relationship and in touch with people you love, enjoy, and/or appreciate is something that I have always believed to be important for wellbeing, meaning, and health, but in this time of staying home and social distancing my previous belief has been starkly confirmed. 

I don't think I need to tell anyone that this is a hard time, nor do I believe candy-coating it would serve any of us.  It is ok to be honest that there is much that is difficult.  As we discussed in our Lenten book study, realizing our need is one step along the path of accepting the grace that is filled with love, promise, and assurance.  Further, believing that we were created in the image of our purely relational God clarifies why this time of isolation is so very challenging.  It is also insightful to consider that, in our separation from God through sin and death, God Himself came into the world to reconcile us to Him. 

In my imagination, I can understand this to mean that God could not stand to be separated from us and so did everything to restore the promise that we have a place with God.  And while we are yet to fully enter into the eternal habitations prepared for us, we believe it awaits.  This time of yearning and waiting is poignantly reflective of all our yearning and waiting for full communion with God.  We will be reunited with each other and my yearning to see you all and worship with you is a helpful reminder that God yearns for us and as our Good Shepherd will go to any length to deliver and  reconcile us.  This is the Good News, the Gospel, and it is the promise of hope.

Happy Easter, everyone.  I pray that the promise of new life is a balm in the midst of this time and I look forward to seeing you when it becomes possible.