Over the past few weeks our son who is a high school senior has been showing more and more signs of “senioritis” as his final year draws closer and closer to an end. You know this as that supposed affliction of students in their final year of school and characterized by a sharp decline in motivation and sometimes academic performance. The days seem to drag on as he and many others long for this phase of life to wrap up so they can move on to the next. I am well aware of this phenomenon, after having finished seminary only 10 months earlier; understanding the deep desire to be done with what currently seems to drag on for an eternity.

Now maybe most of you aren’t currently feeling senioritis per se but I have no doubt you have had these moments and completely understand the feeling. The feeling you get on a Friday afternoon at work when your mind is just wandering, and you are most definitely done with the tedious tasks keeping you from moving on to something more enjoyable.

On a global scale, I think it’s safe to assume most people could relate to something similar in what I would call, “pandemic-itis.” Tired of being isolated, of repetitively using hand sanitizer, of wearing masks, of not seeing family and friends, of video conference calls, of not being able to eat at our favorite restaurants, of not worshipping with our whole faith community, of hearing about more and more people who have become sick or died, and so on.

To our son we keep reminding him that things will be better soon, to enjoy what he can, to be patient, to continue learning, to be challenged, motivated, and even inspired by all the opportunities ahead of him. Interestingly, I think we could all apply this advice to our feelings around our own “pandemic-itis.”

As I’ve tried to be supportive, both as a dad and as a pastor, the more I’ve found it necessary to reflect on the words of the angel whom the women encounter at the tomb of Jesus. The angel told them, “But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.”

Too often, I think we miss the power of this heavenly messengers’ words, but also the grace and faithfulness of God wrapped in these words of promise. A reminder that Jesus has not abandoned them, but rather is going ahead of them and awaiting their arrival with a promise of his glorious and victorious presence. And it is in these often-overlooked words that a hope filled reassurance of better days to come is gifted to them and to us.

We all long for better days, and in the midst of terrifying, unexpected, uncertain, and challenging circumstances, God has sent not only the ultimate savior in Jesus, but so too a messenger of hope to remind us that we are not alone, that Jesus has triumphantly risen victorious over the power of death, and in doing so, God has fulfilled God’s promises.

These hopeful words of a promise fulfilled come to us from the angel and the Resurrection hope of Jesus carries with it not only the power to sustain us through these days, but it is a promise that is ours to claim into eternity. Dear friends, there are no greater words of hope and promise than these and I invite you to cling to them today and always, ”Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed. Alleluia!

 Pastor Tony

(Reprinted from the April 2021 newsletter.)