DAILY GRACE
April 13, 2020, Monday in the Octave of Easter
Hello Everyone,
This week I have chosen an ancient poem of the church called The Exultet for our meditation. Each day we will reflect on a few lines of the poem to enjoy the great truth of the resurrection. A week from today we will return to meditating on a daily scripture reading, but this week let us move slowly and reverently through this great poem of the faith.
Peace and Grace to you all,
Pastor Dave
Selection: The Exultet
Rejoice, heavenly powers! Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God’s throne!
Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!
Meditation
“Rejoice, heavenly powers!”
For centuries at the Easter Vigil, on the Saturday night preceding Easter morning, people have listened to the chanting of the Exultet — a beautiful poem announcing Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. The poem rejoices in the end of a long night for fallen humanity and the beginning of a freedom we could not imagine.
The first three words of the poem invite all of heaven to join with us in singing out our joy because God’s love and mercy have shown themselves stronger than the worst that the world can do. That is our faith, expressed not just in words of gratitude alone, but also of joy! I find it lovely to think of our words of joy and praise combining with those of all of heaven and earth!
Of course, the liturgies of Easter are filled with so much high-pitched joy. The Easter hymns are filled with it. But living with this pandemic may make the celebration of Easter seem remote and dissipated. How can we keep the joy of the resurrection fresh in our hearts? By joining our own voices in prayer with the prayer of the entire Body of Christ —- and indeed, all the heavenly powers. As we pray during the next few days with the words of the Exultet, we return our hearts to the moment of the Easter proclamation. The octave of Easter is a time to revel in the assurance that, ultimately, love and life triumph over all darkness, fear and death.
Prayer
Lord, the Church is called to continue its celebration of your resurrection with joy, but I am feeling a bit deflated. Weeks of social distancing have made me feel like so many — restless, anxious, ill at ease. Light the flame of your Easter fire in my heart even as I shelter in place, so that I might unite my voice in prayer with your sons and daughters everywhere. Keep this fire of love and joy burning in me always. Amen.
Contemplation
“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Ps. 118:24)