A Poem a Sunday

Easter

March 27, 2016

St. Luke 24:1-12 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Commentary:  Christ's resurrection brings about the New Creation. Two poems are offered to prompt the preacher's imagination as she prepares to preach the Good News of new life in Christ that begins in the here and now.

The Resurrection of Jesus

24 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they went in, they did not find the body.[a] 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5 The women[b] were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men[c] said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.[d] 6 Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, 7 that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” 8 Then they remembered his words, 9 and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. 12 But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.[e]

Footnotes:

1. Luke 24:3 Other ancient authorities add of the Lord Jesus
2. Luke 24:5 Gk They
3. Luke 24:5 Gk but they
4. Luke 24:5 Other ancient authorities lack He is not here, but has risen
5. Luke 24:12 Other ancient authorities lack verse 12

A Poem a Sunday

Easter

March 27, 2016

Rhythm

There is no rhyme or reason

but there is a rhythm

to Christ’s passion and resurrection.

A rhythm written in the stars –

a dancing universe –

music of the spheres –

rich harmony in symphonic waves –

elemental particles that amaze

light and dark as we gaze

in wonder of such mystery

of how all creation came to be.

E=MC2 we learn

from Einstein’s dreams

we’ve discerned

that energy is neither

created or destroyed

but

transformed.

So we are ancient and ever new –

all die yet there is no end to you

but a new creation thanks to

the open tomb – an open door –

a wondrous story anticipating more.

Christ showed the way

that through death there is life

is the rhythm of creation

emerging from strife.

March 21, 2016

‘A Poem a Sunday’

 Copyright kennstorck@gmail.com

Firstborn of Creation - A Hymn

A hymn dedicated to AIM, organist, Carol Ostrom

on the 40th Anniversary of her ministry

at Gloria Dei Evangelical Lutheran Church - Rockford - Il.

Set to music by Professor Dr. Matt Erpelding.

Firstborn of creation:

Music of the spheres,

Spirit hovers o’er the waters,

Echoes through the years.

When there is no language,

When our speech is mute,

God inspires the musician

Like a holy muse.

When we live in terror,

Wandering confused.

Music breaks over the silence

Like a morning dew.

Fertile, living Spirit;

Creator, true God:

Sing the Christ deep in our hearts

Open to your love.

As we come to worship,

Speak beyond our words.

Create the music in this place,

Justice in our world.

Christ now goes before us.

The cross - song of love.

We follow with hearts uplifted.

Sing like saints above.

Copyright – kennstorck@gmail.com