For many, Easter is a one day event punctuated with egg hunts, Easter baskets filled with treats, new spring clothes, and worship at one of the many church services held throughout our community. The mega message in the secular world is “Spring is here – let’s celebrate!” But we Church folks know it is “Christ is risen from the dead. He is alive! Hallelujah!”

Furthermore, Easter is not a one day event although the eggs have been found and consumed, baskets have been put away until next year, comfortable, old clothes are worn again and withered Easter flowers are removed from church sanctuaries. It may feel as though Easter has lasted only a day as we settle back into our familiar routines – especially when most routine of all is hearing bad news. The mega message of terrorism sounds loud and clear again and again. A day does not go by without word of suicide bombings, attacks, and counting the cost of our war on terrorism.

More recently and closer to home is the tragic and terrorizing shooting at Virginia Tech this past Monday.  My heart mourns deeply for those who have been irreversibly wounded by this tragedy. I can hardly begin to understand the depth of pain and suffering experienced on that campus and the effect it has even on each of us. How could such a grievous act happen? Our President commented, “Schools should be places of sanctuary and safety and learning. When that sanctuary is violated, the impact is felt in every American classroom and every American community.”  I may not be able to understand, but I am able to know fear. The sanctuaries of our daily lives are easily violated. There are terrors all around. We are prone to be fearful and with good reason.

That is why it is important to remember that Easter is not a one day event, and that we, who have trusted Jesus Christ, whose risen life and presence we celebrate, dwell in a sanctuary that cannot be penetrated by any terror. We are an Easter people! As the Apostle Paul shared in his second letter to the church in Corinth, "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;  persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed." In the midst of terror and suffering, Christ is present to us and gives us power for living. Christ has given us his peace that is beyond human understanding, a peace that will prevail. "Be not afraid," says Christ, "I am with you always." Christ is risen. He is alive. Hallelujah!

May we who know the risen Christ live to make his sanctuary of peace accessible.

May those whose sanctuaries have been violated find healing sanctuary in the Risen Christ. Christ is risen. He is alive. Hallelujah!