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Easter Greetings by The Rev. Joyce Stickney On the way home from church two weeks ago, Khoi, my 5 year old son, and I were listening to the radio when a news update came on about the war in Iraq. I quickly changed the radio station and he piped up, "No mom, leave it there. I want to hear about the war." Instead of turning it back, we had quite a conversation. At the end of it, I assured him that he was safe, "The war is very, very, very far away and you are safe with mommy and daddy." Of course this isn't completely true but it felt like it was what he needed to hear. A few days later he was looking at photos in the newspaper, insisting that I read the captions to him. In the midst of his confusion and perplexity, I found myself reaching for explanations and answers. He seemed unsatisfied in the end. In these fragile times, I feel the need to seek comfort, assurance, and new life. Just a few weeks ago, Khoi released "Little Joe", a swallowtail butterfly who had morphed from one of the caterpillars we collected from the fennel bushes last fall. It took Little Joe a while to leave Khoi's hand and experience flying. Some days later, a butterfly flew through the yard as we were gardening and Khoi said, "There's Little Joe. He's come back to play with me," and he chased him around. Later as I reflected, I realized that Calvin's father, named Joe, had passed away last summer, not long before we gathered the caterpillars. Death, loss, grief, and new life are seasons of our life both for the young and the mature, each with its challenges, its joys, its sorrows, and opportunity for spiritual growth and discovery. Through the simple and tiny things as well as the big ones, we see these seasons taking place and changing. As Jesus said to Mary and Mary Magdalene on Easter morn, "Do not be afraid." We are comforted too by God and our Christian community encouraging us to not be of fear, but of faith; faith that new life, resurrection, Christ's presence is here in every season, yesterday, today, and forever. Christ's peace and joy to you this Easter!
Copyright © 2003 St. Augustine by-the-Sea
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