During the next six Sundays of this Easter season, the readings will offer glimpses of early Christians coming to terms with manifold implications of resurrection. We will find a risen Christ appearing to disciples, dreamers, and skeptics alike. New believers will spread Easter tidings in word and action, far and wide. All will be undeniably affected by these encounters.

Today we enter into the three most solemn and sacred days of the Christian year, called the Triduum (“Three Days”). Jesus walks with us, showing us the way. Now, let’s stay especially close to him—watching attentively, learning deeply, being transformed together by true love.

The cherry blossoms have peaked right on time! This coming Sunday is traditionally known as “Laetare Sunday” in the season of Lent. That Latin word means something like “rejoice.” Rose or pink are the colors associated with Laetare Sunday. This fourth Sunday is meant to be something of a respite from the austerity and deprivation of the Lenten season; because even in the darkest of times, we need to fan the embers of joy and hope. It’s a way to keep going: reminding one another that light and life are possible. I look forward to sharing Laetare Sunday with you!

As we begin this third week in the season of Lent, I want to share a few thoughts about a vital Christian practice that goes back to our earliest stories: the giving of alms. “Almsgiving” is a word we don’t often use or hear today. More often, we talk about charity, outreach, or service. However, those terms do not quite capture the heart of the traditional concept of giving alms, which has been passed down from the teachings of Jesus.

Five years ago, the Church was just entering into another season of Lent. But there were other things going on around us. News reports about a virus causing concentrated outbreaks of a mysterious illness were on the rise. It was the beginning of what we now colloquially call “COVID” for short: the global (SARS-coV-2) pandemic that has officially claimed more than 7 million lives around the world and impacted countless more with lasting health challenges from a prior infection.

This week, I’m in Kansas City at the Episcopal Parish Network conference, reconnecting with colleagues and learning about ministry with marginalized communities, adaptive leadership, and capital fundraising. Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe is here, sharing his vision for transformation in The Episcopal Church. And, as always, the backdrop to our conversations is the immense upheaval and uncertainty in our country and beyond.

The profound statement from Ephesians 2:19-22 emphasizes the unity and inclusion within the Christian community, transcending ethnic, cultural, and social boundaries. It reflects the transformative power of the Gospel, which brings people together in the body of Christ.

As I spoke on briefly in my sermon this morning, the First Epistle to the church in Corinth was written to a fledgling Christian community, struggling to come to into its own identity with core theological understandings, values, organizing principles, and commitments—and situated within the context of a secular society based on extreme hierarchy exercise of power to maintain order.

“Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger people for the living of life! Do not pray for tasks equal to your gifts. Pray for the gifts to meet the work in front of you! Then the doing of your work will not be the miracle. But you shall be the miracle. And every day you shall wonder at the grace, mercy, love and power that has come from God through you into the world.”

Next week, this country faces a transition in government that will undoubtedly bring significant change and challenge. With you, I look ahead with a mix of emotions and a sense of uncertainty about what lies ahead, and also with a sense of resolve to do what is given us to do. We are called to uphold values rooted in our baptismal covenant, to clarify our commitments and priori-ties as a parish, and to strengthen our connections to one another in loving and mutually supportive community.