To the saying "The only sure things in life are death and taxes," I'd add "our need for forgiveness and God's love." As we approach tax day (extended for 3 days this year), we generally have a sense of dread. I dare to suggest that we often approach our regular propensity to sin and the need to confess our sinfulness to God with dread. Yet 1 John 1: 1 - 2:2 (a Word of Life) reminds us that God eagerly awaits our confessions with an abundance of grace and mercy. Because God is light and Christ is our earthly and heavenly Advocate, we can confront our sin openly and honestly. When we step into the light of confession, God is eager to speak the Word of assurance: "You are forgiven."
Last week was Easter Sunday when we celebrated the Resurrection: God raised Jesus from the dead. On this second Sunday of Easter (Eastertide), we celebrate that God has confronted death (our ultimate fear) face to face and has laughed at death. Herein lies our assurance that laughter is how we live and love because it's how God loves and lives in us. While never denying our sinful natures, 1 John points us toward the light of laughter. We who walk in the light of Christ by confessing our earthly nature, are able to have fellowship with one another through our faith in the fellowship of our trinitarian God: Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer. This Sunday (Holy Humor Sunday), we'll laugh with joy as we celebrate our assurance of God's grace and mercy.
Let us live, love and laugh,
Pastor Shelley
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