Through Stained Glass: A Mid-Week Reflection-song sing

“O sing to God a new song; sing to the Holy One all the earth.”

This is the opening line of this morning’s psalm.

As I write this post in the hallowed halls of Eden Theological Seminary, I can hear birds chirping outside the window. The daffodils down here in St. Louis are in full bloom, and with their faces turned toward the rising sun, their radiance sings of spring’s beauty. The lawn in the courtyard on campus is nearly all green, becoming lush with each warming minute. Creation is singing God’s praises.

Resurrection is happening. Sunday we met Mary and the disciples in the garden where the tomb was empty. A ‘glowing’ young man told us in Mark that Jesus was raised and he wasn’t there. In John, Jesus calls Mary by name, and who she thought was the gardener was in fact, her Christ. Both give the command to go and announce the good news of Jesus being raised.

That is a new lyric in the aged old song of God’s love for us and creation.

Then Jesus says to Mary, let go of me—don’t cling to me because I have not ascended to the Father/Creator. In letting go and not clinging to the risen Christ, Jesus’ ascent and return to God enables the disciples to share fully in Christ’s relationship with God.

How about that, am I right?

We share in Christ’s union with God. What is true with Christ’s relationship with God is now true for us, God’s children!

Like Phil Collins, I can’t sing. However, knowing I am in God and God is in me inspires within me to sing a song, or write a poem, or do a dance, or weep tears, or do something that offers my thanksgiving for God’s gift of love!

Friends, how will sing a new song to God? What words will you use? Perhaps write a haiku?

Another question, what might you need to let go of to receive the good news that Christ is risen? The new life offered to us in the resurrection?

In birdsong, I heard God’s presence. In the creativity and compassion of my colleagues as we discuss wisdom and beauty, I saw the face of Christ. In your prayers, the Spirit warms my heart.

On this beautiful Friday with the new song in my ear, I leave you with a question from Luke’s resurrection story. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. 6Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again."

Well, why do you?