An article for The Cathedral Times
by the Very Rev. Sam Candler, Dean of the Cathedral
When I am asked that question, my usual answer, about any Sunday service, is that my favorite part is standing on the floor of the church nave and watching holy people walking up to communion. I love them, and they love each other; and each of us makes our way to the Holy. Small and large, sometimes we are fidgeting and scampering, sometimes we are slow and ponderous, sometimes we are worried and sad, sometimes we are giggling and laughing. Wherever and whoever we are, we make our procession to Christ. We make our procession to the Body and Blood of Christ. We accept Christ. That procession is holy to me.
But this past Easter! This past Sunday, Easter Sunday, I loved pretty much the entire nine hours! Yes, I mean the part that begins at 5:00 am, when so many ministers are already here, preparing and placing and arranging the church to move from sheer darkness to blazing light. We all knew rain was coming, and we loved gathering anyway. It was 2:00 pm when many of us left this holy place, processing out to serve and lift up the hearts of the world.
The entire morning was glory after glory. I loved the glorious fire! The fire burned majestically even in the rain! Many of us had hats and umbrellas and raincoats. We were witnessing love and glory.
I loved the singing! From the Exultet to Morning Has Broken, to Jesus Christ Has Risen Today to Welcome Happy Morning.
I loved lifting up our hearts! I loved lifting up our hearts, as Artemis II had lifted up our hearts to space a few days previously.
Thank you! I thank each and every one of you for being present with the Church on Easter Sunday. From in-person to online, from physical presence to spiritual prayer, you were with us. Thank you for lifting up hands and hearts in witness to resurrection. As I preached on Sunday, when we lift up our hearts, we lift up the hearts of people around us, and we inspire resurrection and new life throughout the entire world.
God bless our lifted hearts! God bless our continuing celebration of resurrection and new life! Thank you!
The Very Reverend Samuel G. Candler
Dean of the Cathedral of St. Philip
SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM EASTER AT THE CATHEDRAL