Easter is the season that we celebrate new life.  Well, I suppose that we celebrate new life during the other church seasons as well, but there’s something special about Easter.  It is in Easter that we intentionally acknowledge that God is about life and that absolutely nothing, not even death itself, can foil God’s plan.

I have found this to be a really important thing to remember because my life, and your life as well, is often marked by many little deaths.  Death of dreams, death of relationships, death of loved ones.  The list goes on.  In the midst of all of that death, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that God is about life.  And between you and me, one of the reasons I come to church every Sunday is to be reminded that God is about life, not death. 

I also come to church to be reminded that it’s not just about me.  It is just way too easy to get stuck in my own little world and lose sight of the fact that there are other human beings and, indeed, a whole world out there that is on the life journey as well.  Further, it’s just too easy to forget that God’s plan for life is intended for all of God’s creation, not just me, my family, my community, my race, my nation, my species.  God’s dream and plan for life is for all.  And God invites all of us into executing that plan.    

One of the best ways for us to do our part in executing God’s plan of abundant life is to learn and live generosity.  Abundance for all can only happen when we learn to share.  The early church was marked by people who were radically committed to each other and to God’s plan.  The author of Acts states that “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.” 

Each day we are given many opportunities to live generously.  And here’s the secret… the key to living an abundant and joyful life is to share generously with others.  So, for goodness sake, come to church to be reminded of God’s plan of abundant life for you and for all.  And for God’s sake, and your own sake too, make the choice today to live generously.

~Father Art