Little Easter

Reflection for the 22nd Week after Pentecost, 2022

Scriptures: Psalm 17:1-9: Luke 20:27-38

Key Verse: “Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.” (Luke 20:38)

This Sunday is a special Sunday like Easter Sunday. We call it Little Easter because it is a day we affirm the foundation of our faith which is the resurrection of Jesus. In fact, every Sunday is Little Easter. And today is also a day we as sinners affirm our sainthood that is made possible once again through the resurrection of Jesus. Because of the common faith shared between all the living and passing, we are united by God’s grace through faith as the body of Christ.

It is interesting that I am able to think more creatively of images for Little Easter Sunday than Easter Sunday. When I picture Easter Sunday, the images that come to mind are the stories in the Bible like the cross or the empty tomb right before dawn. But when I think of little Easter, many images come to me, something like being discharged from the hospital after having a severe illness; being acquitted after having a fair trial; being rescued from domestic violence; being saved from a disaster caused either by humans or nature; being sheltered during a war; or a long-broken relationship being mended. Whenever there is a glimpse of hope that becomes tangible in our lives, I see it as a living testimony of Little Easter.

It can even be as simple as each morning when we wake up. We give thanks to God for our basic minimum needs being met. It can also be any moment when we think of our loved ones who have passed away but are resting in peace in God. Little Easter is like fresh air that reminds us of each breath that we take from our living God. It also is like a new life that awaits us during each life transition we go through and greets us when we notice that we are not alone but with our living God and next to all the living and passing saints have been cheering for us all along.

We all know that challenges come and go because life isn’t always pretty, comfortable, and easy. Today’s story in Luke 20 concerning marriage, death, and fertility from Sadducees is a great lesson for us to remember. From Jesus’ answer, we learn that there are better things to think about in heaven. Any relationship or life experience we have on earth doesn’t change the fact that we all are children of God and that our salvation has been fulfilled through the resurrection of Jesus.

May we all hold onto the fact and live each day as children of God and remember the words of St. Paul in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” The worldview of death is that it separates us from our loved ones and nullifies the value of who we are and the purpose of what we have lived for. But Jesus said to us, “Now he is God not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all of them are alive.” Yes, we have a living God and a God of living. Amen.