outWORD by Matte Downey

Why is Easter important? It is arguably the high point of the Christian calendar, celebrating Jesus' victory over death and sin. It is also a time of fulfillment in which darkness gives way to light, death gives way to life, the kingdom of earth gives way to the kingdom of God, and the final sacrifice for sin is offered. But what exactly happened when Jesus died and was resurrected? The Christian church has many ways of explaining or illustrating the saving work of Christ. The Orthodox Icon of the Resurrection pictured above (there are several versions) is one of the most celebrated icons in the church. Icons, in addition to being invitations to prayer, are meant to be instructive. Here we see the risen Christ descending to Hades, grabbing Adam and Eve by the wrists, and raising them from their tombs. The position of Christ's hands denotes that the two being raised have no active part in the process; the work is all Christ's. The doors (gates), chains, and keys underne...

Image from sundayisforlovers.wordpress.com Words. Words. Words. Sometimes I tire of them. Well... that's not exactly true. I do not tire of them as much as I lose my grip on them. And then they tumble down, untethered from significance and meaning and emotion. They become husks without seeds. Clothes without a warm body. Balloons without breath. Sounds without intelligibility. I am writing words right now. This morning I have probably read more words than some will read all day. I live in the world of words, a world I love. But for many days now - Perhaps weeks or months, if I am truthful - When it comes time to pray, I have few words. If I am alone, I will sit in silence at my table. Perhaps light a candle. Aside from the occasional Thank you  Or God, you know Or What  are we doing?  Not much is said or thought. If I am with others, I hesitate. Because anything I might say in the way of prayer seems weak at best and untrue at worst. I can ask ...