Easter Sunday 2013

On the first day of the week, at early dawn, the women who had come with Jesus from Galilee came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 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. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. Luke 24:1-12


Idle Tales
The dawn was still a way off
they struggled through their grief
hearts on the ground as they walked.

Tears flowed down like warm rain
the told their favorites stories
aching in their longing
sharing their sorrow with no shame.

Darkness covered them
hiding from the authorities
they moved in the shadows
to their ritual washing of the dead.

All had done this before
each had lost so many
death had swallowed up love
over and over again.

Fear became terror
all was not right
he was not there
he was missing among the dead.

Shattered and frightened
the darkness gave way to light
what they dared not hope was true.

Screaming and running home
feet flying in the morning light
the shouted their idle tales
to disciples hiding from the law.

He is not dead he is risen
no idle tale this my friend
God has brought back life and love
and we are free from fear forever
God has made us home.