Events that unfolded on that First ‘Easter’ Day are reminiscent of individuals and communities bouncing back to life.
This bouncing back with zing comes alive in the contexts of the stories in which the disciples on the road to Emmaus, the disciples going back to their previous contexts, and a distraught Mary, were face to face with the reality of a ‘possibility of possibilities’.
At this realisation the stories of a beleaguered, battered, battle-worn christ-community that was withdrawing from action, feigning a ‘time-up’ context, comes Alive !!!!
Every situation around us today expresses a ‘There Is No Alternative (TINA)’ syndrome, while Easter calls the bluff and helps bounce back with ‘There are A Thousand Alternatives (TATA)’. History is replete with umpteen such instances of bouncing back.
This ‘dead with Jesus and rising with him’ experience, challenges death and the grave – O death where is your sting, O grave where your victory… (I Cor. 15: 55). It joyfully proclaims, Blessed be the name of our God who gives us victory through Jesus Christ (I Cor 15: 57).
May this jubilant cry that supposes a sense of victory while yet under subjugation, energise us and all christ-communities, to call the bluff and help bounce back as we seek to serve God as christ-communities that are critically conscious and contextually relevant.
Current contexts are quite complicated, and seem irreparable. Yet ‘miracles happen all the time’. Saturday is silent and long… Easter however is an ever present promise of all times.
Happy Easter Hope ! Let’s bounce back with zing ! Let’s make it happen ! Everyday….
Asir Ebenezer
General Secretary, NCCI