In her Easter Vigil sermon, Kate reflected on the profound journey from the silence of Holy Saturday into the joy of Easter resurrection. She described this sacred moment as a liminal space—a place where we sit with the grief of the tomb, waiting for the light of new life. Drawing from Good Friday, she reminded the congregation of Jesus’ immense courage in the face of death, emphasizing that love is greater than fear. She acknowledged the shared pain of loss, particularly remembering Bob Barnes, a beloved member of their community who had recently passed, and likened their grief to that of those who mourned Jesus at the tomb. Yet, she pointed to the hope of resurrection, affirming that the bad thing—death—is never the last thing. Through the stories of salvation read during the vigil, Kate highlighted God’s steadfast love and the promise that light always overcomes darkness.
She went on to describe the resurrection as more than a single event—it is a cosmic moment, a divine transformation that connects all of creation. Drawing on the image of the Cosmic Christ, she invited the congregation to see Christ as the unifying presence in all things, holding the universe together in love. She likened the Easter Vigil to the womb, a place of safety before emerging into a new reality, and called for courage to sit in uncertainty while trusting in God’s promise of renewal. As the Paschal candle was lit, Kate urged everyone to carry the light of Christ into the world, proclaiming that death is not the end, but the beginning of eternal life. With hope and joy, she concluded by celebrating the truth of Easter: Christ is risen, and through Him, we are raised to new life.
Reflection Questions for this Week:
- Kate spoke about the “liminal space” of Holy Saturday, a time of waiting and uncertainty. How can we find courage and faith in our own lives when we are in seasons of waiting or uncertainty?
- The sermon emphasized the idea that “the bad thing is never the last thing” through the hope of resurrection. How does this truth shape how we face grief, loss, and suffering in our own lives?
- Kate introduced the concept of the Cosmic Christ, a presence that unites all creation. How does understanding Christ as a universal and cosmic presence influence the way we see our relationship with God, others, and the world around us?