Then Peter began to speak to them: ‘I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ—he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’

 

 

 

When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?’ When they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.’ So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

 

 

 

Would you like to add a new word to your vocabulary? It is prolepsis. A prolepsis is that little paragraph that introduces an article and tells you everything that is to come. A prolepsis is the down payment on a house; now you own it but in the future when you make the final mortgage payment you’ll really own it. A prolepsis is that first kiss that makes you ask, “am I married now?”

 

The Easter resurrection is a prolepsis. When God raised Jesus on that first Easter morning, God also promised to raise you and me at the future consummation of all things. In fact, Jesus’ Easter resurrection combined with your and my resurrection constitute one single event, at least from God’s point of view. How do I know God’s point of view? Well, I think I figured this out from reading the Bible.

 

We think of Jesus as God’s incarnate son. That is, what is spirit takes on flesh. The Easter prolepsis is the same thing, only it has to do with time. The future becomes present. God’s future redemption of all things is accomplished ahead of time in Jesus. We now wait for God to finish the job, so to speak.

 

This is why Saint Paul says that we live between the times. Easter is “to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ (Ephesians 1:10).

 

He is risen!

Happy Prolepsis Day!

 

 

 

Alive in the risen Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit, we bring our prayers before God who promises to hear us and answer in steadfast love.

 

Praise to you for your power revealed in the resurrection! Fill your church with the power of your love that is stronger than death. Send us to tell the good news wherever death holds sway.

 

Hear us, O God.

 

remind us of your persistent grace. Cultivate our care for what you have made.

 

Hear us, O God.

 

Praise to you for the peace made possible in the resurrection! Fill the nations with your peace. Draw together people of all nations and languages; reveal new possibilities and inspire new beginnings.

 

 

Praise to you for the hope of the resurrection! Fill all in need with hope: those who are afraid or confused, those who are sick or suffering, those who are dying, and those who grieve. Assure them of your promises.

  

 

Praise to you for the joy of your resurrection! Fill this assembly with joy as we are called your beloved in baptism. Multiply that joy so that we share it at home, at work, and in our community.

  

 

Praise to you for your faithfulness revealed in the resurrection! Fill our youth who affirmed their baptism and took their first communion today with trust and the belief that we join a body of people who acknowledge that: “your mercy endures forever!”

  

 

 

 

 

 

May the body of our Lord Jesus Christ and his holy and precious blood abide with you now and forever.

 

 

Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us now and forever.