Resurrection Hope
Easter 2022
Dear Friends,
Many of us have experienced a season in life when loss and grief seem to prevail. Members of the clergy are particularly familiar with these periods, sometimes finding themselves officiating at funerals happening one after the other in a short interval. Nonetheless, in the midst of the deep sadness of death, I notice that non-Christians and non-Episcopalians alike often feel uplifted by our Episcopal Rite of Burial in our Book of Common Prayer. On more than one occasion, many have told me how moving they found the service to be.
Our burial service is, indeed, lovely, and it is a service firmly rooted on the hope of resurrection. Every aspect of the service focuses our attention on this singular hope, starting with these words of Jesus: “I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord. Whoever has faith in me shall have life, even though he die. And everyone who has life, and has committed himself to me in faith, shall not die for ever.” (The Book of Common Prayer, 491) I am left to wonder if this hope unconsciously and positively affects those who participate in the service.
As a global community we have been in the midst of a prolonged season of loss and grief. I need not list the manifold woes that our world has faced and is continuing to face. As a human family we have known and we will know intervals of all manner of staggering loss. Yet, in the midst of the troubles of the world and the troubles of our personal lives, Resurrection Hope comes to renew our hearts with joy—the deep joy that stems from remembering and proclaiming that Jesus is alive. Therefore, no matter what, we have the power to hold on to hope. What’s more, we can rely on the promise given to us by Jesus that we are not alone during our journey of life. We can rejoice that Jesus is with us in all of the circumstances of life—rejoicing with us in our joys and grieving with us in our times of grief. Most of all, we can exult in the reality of his Resurrection.
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
Alleluia, Jesus is alive now and for all eternity!
Easter blessings to you and yours, and may God fill your hearts with hope and joy this Easter Day and throughout this new season of Easter celebration.
Blessed Easter,
The Rt. Rev. Ketlen A. Solak, D.Min.
IX Bishop of Pittsburgh