People of Hope,
A few years back, I was serving another congregation and walking with them through their Holy Week journey. Much like we experienced here at Esperanza at our Good Friday worship service, one of the practices on Good Friday was to gradually snuff out seven candles as we journeyed through the story of Jesus’ crucifixion and death as reported in the gospels. The practice started out as is typical, but one of the people who was responsible for snuffing out the candles had a little trouble with one of the small candles that were used in that space, and hard as he tried, in the dim light he couldn’t find the right angle to block out enough oxygen from the candle to snuff it out entirely. After about fifteen seconds, he seemed satisfied with his efforts, and headed back to his seat. But as the story of Jesus’ death and burial continued, I noticed the slightest spark still lit on that one problematic candle.
So it is with the hope that we celebrate on this Holy Saturday as we journey from the grave to the revelation of Christ’s final defeat of death. No matter how much it may seem that the powers of the world win, we know through the Holy Spirit that God’s victory is still coming. As weighed down as we may be, the spark of hope found in God’s promises remains. I truly believe that it is appropriate that our congregation’s name is Esperanza – Hope. It’s appropriate because hope is what this congregation proclaims through the darkest of valleys. Hope is what we celebrate as we look to the Easter joy that is now at hand. And hope is what Esperanza offers as we continue to serve the weak and the downtrodden in our world. And that hope is possible because of what we are now called to celebrate today – that Christ is defeating death not just on this holy night, but every day. And this promised hope of Christ’s victory transforms us from our old way of life to a new season of hope and love meant for all people.
It is for this reason that we proclaim that this is the night! This is the night of Christ’s victory, this is the night our world is transformed again by God’s sure and certain love for all of creation. If you’re reading this, and you haven’t been to worship in a while, know that Easter is a time for new things. You’re welcome to come and join us anew. If you’re reading this, and you feel you’re not worthy of walking through these doors, know that Jesus promised paradise to sinners. This is the night where all the barriers that separate us from God’s love are broken down in Christ. So I invite you, come and join us. Live in the hope that is promised through the empty tomb. Come and worship, come and experience the spark of life made new in the promises of God.
Pastor Chris