May It Be Easter

May 10: The clan gathered for its usual Wednesday practice. But this day is different from the other Wednesdays. We made excuses of wanting to practice new songs tonight for an upcoming event, but in our hearts, we just wanted to come together again as one --- one with our 29AD family.

We called it a concert, but I say it was an extravagant worship night that we had just five days ago, a Friday, the 5th of May. Still high in its spirits, this Wednesday night after that concert feels like a new Easter morning.

I read how the Apostles fled and hid together in a room when He was put to death. In their hiding, they must have shared stories, stories of their lives. Stories of how their Master simply called them “to follow me”, of how He has touched their hearts with His perplexing but piercing parables. They must have shared stories about their hardships and sacrifices with Him. It must have been interesting to hear the life-changing stories of a notorious tax collector, a wealthy one, or perhaps an ordinary fisherman.

It must have been painful to hear, much less tell, their stories of stubbornness, skepticism, and denial of Him.

But, what glorious news it must have been for them when they heard that He is risen! How even more glorious it was when they have seen Him! Close to disbelief, they must have been ecstatic.

They have seen Him, He is risen! How I wondered what the first Easter felt like.

Now, we’re together in this room sharing stories --- pieces and experiences in doing the concert. Stories of how our very lives were touched by just following Him. Stories of how lives and hearts were changed by just using the talents that He has given them - stories of blessings, of miracles.

It was painful and tearful to hear, much less tell, stories about oppressions, loosing someone, giving up, and disappointments. It was painful yet uplifting that after all these, we have overcome - with Him, our Master.

But how glorious it is to know that, as our stories attest, He has indeed risen --- He has risen in our hearts! He has risen to change us, to purify us, to empower us. He is so alive! So alive in us that you couldn’t stand still! He overflows, our cup overflows with joy and love!

He is in our hearts, He is risen! This is how the first Easter must have felt like.

After His resurrection, I remember His commanding but assuring words to the apostles --- “Go, therefore, and make disciples from all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…… I am with you till the end of this world.”

Easter’s the same, even after more than two thousand years. What an Easter, what an awesome Easter!


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May 2006 - reflections on a rehearsal day, less than a week after the GK4GK-2 Concert