this easter we’re putting on a bit of an art show. here is the invitation i sent to members of our congregation:

Easter 2004

In the tender compassion of our God,
the dawn from on high shall
break upon us.

This Dawn comes brightly
full of promise
as golden air spills over ripening buds
about to spring into greenery.

Glory to you Lord God of our Fathers

(by Mary R. Hockersmith, © 2002 National Catholic Reporter and Gale Group)

Celebrating the Resurrection

First, let me say I am really excited for our coming Easter gathering. This has been a long year for my family and me, and the coming celebration lifts my soul. My deepest thanks go out to each of you for helping to make it happen.

We have been created in the image of a Creative God, and Easter is perhaps His ultimate creative expression: Life created from death. Forgiveness created from condemnation. Family created from abandonment. Glory created from shame.

I can scarcely think of a more fitting way to honor Easter than by creating our own Tributes, by offering our own creativity as a Sacrifice of Praise. To this end I am enlisting your help.

I know each of you to be creative not only because you were created in God’s image, but because I have seen you create with words, paint, film, music, etc. I am asking each of you to create something that can be offered to God and our community on Easter Sunday.

I have only these three instructions:

1. Allow the Resurrection of Our Lord to be your Muse. Interpret as you like. As a starting point, Matthew’s account of the Resurrection is in Chapter 28 of his Gospel.

2. Your Creation must be suitable for all ages. Following Easter Sunday, I hope to incorporate each of your Creations into our storefront space. This does not mean that [my 3-year old daughter], for example, must understand your Creation, but I should not have to cover her eyes/ears/etc. either.

3. Be honest. Be honest with God, yourself, and your church. This is no time for platitudes, stereotypes, and unexamined sentiment. I am not expecting you to respond to the Resurrection in any particular way. There is not “correct” interpretation here. I am asking you to create from your soul…a far more difficult, scary, and rewarding task. I do, however, offer this bit of comfort: You will not be alone. Each of us (including me!) is in this together.