On Getting The Story Straight

Reflections
April 19, 2009

The season of Easter comes to us in springtime, a season of growing and birth. Author, Hugh Kerr, reflects upon this in his book, THE SIMPLE GOSPEL, in an essay titled Starting Over Again. Dr. Kerr reminds us that the faith tradition is full of examples of God’s generative power. Word with the prefix re, (such as repentance, redemption, reconciliation, renewal, regeneration, and resurrection) are used regularly in the Bible. These words along with words suggestive of transformation like the term New, (as in New Testament and in the book of Revelation, a New Heaven and a New Earth) evoke the promise of change found in relationship with God.

Each season of the Church year, be it Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter or Pentecost call upon us to contemplate the work of God in our lives. However, none is more demanding than Easter. For in Easter, we remember the work of God in the life of Jesus. We recall the gift of ministry He gave in life and death and life anew. We reflect on His gracious acts, and we reconcile our hearts to the work of grace in each of us. In this season, we can claim fully and without reservation a love that can make all things new.

Dr. Joey K. McDonald
First United Methodist Church
4832 Tujunga Avenue, North Hollywood, CA 91601