Sermons at Saint Mary's

Easter Day
4/12/09
“Love is but a song we sing, fear’s the way we die.”

If you were around for any part of the 1960’s, you probably remember this song. And as I have journeyed through Lent this year, and as we have moved together through Holy Week, and as we hear once again these familiar words from the Gospel of Mark chronicling the events of that first Easter Day, it is these words that have come to mind.
Love is but a song we sing, fear’s the way we die.

It all began in fear, you know. That first Easter Day, there was no shout of alleluias, no blast of trumpets, no pretty flowers, no happy voices. There was only terror and dread. Mark’s Gospel, written long before the other three had made use of the benefit of hindsight, ends abruptly with these raw words: “So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.”

For they were afraid. Afraid just like you and I are afraid. Of the unknown. Of the terror that lurks in the darkness. Of a world that teeters on the edge of economic collapse. They were afraid. They huddled like cowering sheep in the upper room. They fled into the night. They could not sleep. Paranoia was their constant companion.

Fear consumed those first believers. It tore them apart. It turned them against one another. It made them believe that the only thing worth believing in is power and domination. Fear took away their faith, and filled their hearts with despair.

Yes, the first Easter morning was a day of fear, dear friends, not a day of victory and joy. And the fear nearly killed them. The terror nearly ripped out their hearts. Fear nearly became the way they died, like every other generation then and since that has yielded and submitted to its fear.

And what finally saved them, finally? Was it homeland security? Was it by taking up the sword that the disciples of Jesus vanquished their fear? Was it hunkering down and pulling in the wagons that saved them? Did they overcome their terror by giving in to their anxiety and dread? Did they set the world on fire by fighting terror with terror, fear with fear?

No, my friends. Fear is and has always been the strongest force we have to face in life. Those who came to the tomb that day long ago knew this all too well. Their Master was dead, executed on a cross. And nothing, nothing would change that. The terror of their times, the terror of our times all comes down to this: we who live must die.

And there is no antidote to the fear and terror this engenders in us save one. Fear is, and has been always been, the way we die. Love is, and has always been, the way we live. The tomb is empty. The tomb is empty because God’s love for us in Jesus is so deep, so broad, so high, that not even fear, not even death is the final word.

Be not afraid, Jesus said, over and over again, as he appeared to his disciples after his resurrection. Be not afraid I hear him saying to you and to me this morning. Be not afraid about what the future will hold. Be not afraid about your security, your retirement. Be not afraid about how you will make ends meet. Be not afraid about your children, your health, your finances.

Be not afraid, I hear Jesus saying through the words of that old 60’s ballad. Love is but a song we sing, and fear’s the way we die. You hold the key to love and fear, all in your trembling hand. Just one key unlocks them both. It’s there at your command. Come on, people, smile on your brother, try to love one another. Right now. Right here, Right now.

Yes, friends, love is stronger than death. Love is stronger than fear. Let this Easter hope and promise animate and guide you. Let this Easter faith give you courage and strength to face into the things that make you anxious. Let this Easter light cast out whatever darkness besets you. And let this Easter love burn brightly now and in the days before you.

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