An article from the Cathedral Times
by the Very Reverend
Samuel G. Candler,
Dean of the Cathedral of St.
Philip
Easter for the Disciples of Christ
On Easter Day, I realize that many people entering the church have little idea what has occurred there to prepare for Easter.
This past Easter, I saw a cameraman from one of the local television stations, wandering in and inquiring how he could get a good shot. About fifteen minutes later, it looked to me like he was leaving. I saw visitors galore, most appearing ten minutes before the service and wondering why they couldn't get a good seat. I heard a man after the service wondering to me why the Episcopal service has changed so much. I saw many "spiritual but not religious" people.
Our glorious services are of value to all those people. Their experience is real; they get a glimmer of new life. They seem happy for a little while. They are glad to get a free taste of resurrection. Of course, they did absolutely nothing to create the experience, and they did absolutely nothing by way of contributing to its preparation, and that in itself is a fine symbol; God's grace, after all, is free. God pours grace upon us whether we have worked or not.
But, there really is another grace that comes to disciples. Disciples are those who heard the call to follow Jesus long ago, and they committed to it. They have worked very hard in the past year trying to do just that. They have served the poor and stood up for righteousness. They have served on church committees, even the most tedious ones. They have pledged their money generously, in genuine hope. And, for Easter, they served on flower guilds, acolyte guilds, and altar guilds. They ushered, and read, and rehearsed, and sang, and prayed.
Disciples of Christ also rubbed shoulders with each other in the past year, and even hurt or offended each other in the process; they forgave each other. They cried and laughed together. Disciples of Christ work so hard that they often make mistakes. They know that nothing they do will be perfect. They go through the events of Holy Week because they relate, minute by minute, with almost every character there"”from the betrayers to the mourners"”all in witness to a magnificent and graceful life in Christ.
I give thanks for the disciples of Christ this Easter week. Thank you! Thank you, not just for Holy Week and Easter. But thank you for preparing the way throughout the year. Sure, I know God could work without you. But when God works through you, and through this magnificent Cathedral Parish of St. Philip, then I experience Easter in an even more glorious way. You made Easter for me.
You are a disciple of Christ. You prepare the way for God's grace to abound. Thank you!
The Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler
Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip