1. Christ the Lord is ris'n today; Alleluia!
Christians, hasten on your way; Alleluia!
offer praise with love replete, Alleluia!
at the paschal victim's feet. Alleluia!
2. For the sheep the Lamb has bled, Alleluia!
sinless in the sinner's stead. Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is ris'n on high; Alleluia!
now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!
3. Christ, the victim undefiled, Alleluia!
God and sinners reconciled, Alleluia!
when contending death and life, Alleluia!
met in strange and awesome strife. Alleluia!
4. Christians, on this holy day, Alleluia!
all your grateful homage pay; Alleluia!
Christ the Lord is ris'n on high; Alleluia!
now he lives, no more to die. Alleluia!
***
When we hurt others--with words or by thinking of ourselves first--they are often upset at us, dislike us or demand we pay for what we did. They deal with us through a system of retribution--rewards for good, punishment for bad. Sometimes people hold a grudge and will not talk to each other or even withhold their love. Even the many nice things we have done for another person can be forgotten because of one hurt.
Jesus gives us a new kind of life, with God. The system of retribution struggles with life in a "strange and awesome strife." But life wins as Jesus rises from death, "no more to die." Retribution is no longer the way. In Jesus' cross and resurrection we are reconciled to God--made good in God's sight. And we are now called to invite others to trust the promise of this new way of life in Jesus.
Life-giving Father, when we hurt others, help us ask to be forgiven. When others hurt us, help us deal with them with Jesus' mercy, which overcomes our need to deal with them through ways of retribution. May life win the strife in our hearts also. Amen.
Jesus gives us a new kind of life, with God. The system of retribution struggles with life in a "strange and awesome strife." But life wins as Jesus rises from death, "no more to die." Retribution is no longer the way. In Jesus' cross and resurrection we are reconciled to God--made good in God's sight. And we are now called to invite others to trust the promise of this new way of life in Jesus.
Life-giving Father, when we hurt others, help us ask to be forgiven. When others hurt us, help us deal with them with Jesus' mercy, which overcomes our need to deal with them through ways of retribution. May life win the strife in our hearts also. Amen.
Timothy Hoyer, '09
Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Lakewood, N.Y., and Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Falconer, N.Y.
THE LUTHER SEMINARY ®
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States
Telephone: (651)641-3456
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