My son lives and works in New York City. Considered ‘essential personnel,’ he continued going to the office until this past Monday when he began working from our home in Connecticut. I teased him that his essential personnel card translates to disposable personnel given the severity of the crisis in NY.
You may wonder how or why my son’s work status could inspire a mid-week Cawfee Talk other than the fact that I have lots of time on my hands. Maybe, but his designation made me think of my own status with God. As we enter into what is called the Paschal Triduum (the three days commemorating the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus), I think it’s ‘essential’ to recognize who Christ died for.
The thing about the Easter story is that until we make it personal, it remains just that – a story. It only becomes meaningful when we enter into it. The truth is that God considers all of us ‘essential personnel.’ As St. Paul reminds us in Galatians 3:28, we’re all equal in His eyes. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If I was the only person on earth, Christ would still have chosen to go to the cross – for me.
Until I choose to embrace that truth and the enormity of His sacrificial love, His death and resurrection hold no meaning or power in my life. On the other hand, when I choose to accept my role in the Easter story, the same power that rose Jesus from the dead lives in me (Romans 6:10). Now that deserves a Hallelujah Chorus every morning, not just on Easter Sunday.
A reminder from Jeremy Camp: