Say Something

Today as we celebrate Easter and proclaim the hope we receive in the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we are reminded in the resurrection story in Mark’s Gospel that we are not to be silent about God’s love and forgiveness. The women who saw the empty tomb left and “said nothing to nobody” on their way, but we are called to say something. We cannot remain mute. Each of us proclaims the gospel to the world in which we live and to the people with whom we live, work and play.

When I reflect on what that calling means for me, it’s significant that Martin Luther “understood the preaching office to be responsible for both the liberation of consciences and for raising and commenting upon issues of worldly government….” (Carter Lindberg, The European Reformations, 111) This is where I hear the call to speak out for or stand with my neighbor, to help give voice to the voiceless and to unmask injustices from which we’d rather avert our eyes.

As one pastor said, Jesus’ death and resurrection were the ultimate example of civil disobedience because Rome wanted to kill him and keep him dead permanently but he refused. We are called to speak up even when it makes people uncomfortable, even when it creates a scandal, even when it appears radical and goes against popular or well-reasoned sentiment. We are called to proclaim God’s love and forgiveness in spite of a world that tells people they are not loved, they cannot be forgiven and they are condemned by God.

Martin Luther also believed the Gospel is lived when we enter into the “liturgy after the liturgy, a work of the people flowing from worship, service to others continuing after the formal worship service.” (Lindberg, 109) As we enter into this season of new life, as Easter people, living in the hope of the Gospel, what will that look like?