My roommate had some friends over last night. While I should have been focusing on my homework I couldn't help but listen in to the conversation they were having. The three of them all attend the same church -- different from the one I attend -- and were discussing how disappointed they would be if their Easter service was just like any other boring Sunday service.
I didn't know why at the time, but I was getting really upset by their conversation. It seemed to make sense that Easter Sunday should be especially triumphant and celebratory. However, their conversation stuck with me, even after I went to my room to finish my homework.
Finally, it hit me: Christ has been raised from the dead since the first "Easter Sunday," so shouldn't all of our Sundays -- or all our interactions with other Christians -- be ones where we are overcome with the reality that Jesus has conquered death and brings new life to those who repent?
But there are days like Good Friday when we also need to remember the sacrifice made so that we could gain eternal life. So what should Sunday -- or, as I said, life all the time -- look like? Half solemn reflection and half joyful celebration? Or every other Sunday? Or is it possible to be both reflective and joyful at the same time?
Being the generally quiet introvert that I am, I'd like to make the case for the third option. You don't have to sing "Christ The Lord is Risen Today" to make you have joy in the Lord, nor does singing "In Christ Alone" automatically mean that you aren't celebrating new life; these girls were talking specifically about how the music sets the mood for the service -- another issue in the church I sometimes think about. If a person truly has the joy of the Lord in them, then even the slowest of songs about Christ's triumph over the grave will remind you of the great new life you've been given.
Also, its not the "church's" -- meaning here those who lead the service, make the weekly decisions and plan the music -- responsibility to make the congregation have joy and celebrate. A church is all about
all the people who gather together to fellowship with one another. If you don't like the way things are, tell someone who makes the decisions that you feel that way. Or even better, volunteer to
do something to change it. There is no use in complaining about it.
Well, now I'm just ranting, so to sum it all up:
- I think the joy of the Lord is something that should be in us year round, with a healthy balance of reflection. Both can, and I think should, co-exist year-round.
- I strongly feel that each person is responsible for their own attitude when coming to worship. If the joy of the Lord is something that you feel passionate about, especially on Easter, then bring that passion with you to church: it's contagious.
- People of the church think of church leaders like 'church authority' rather than fellow brother and sisters of Christ. If you want something changed at your church, then do something about it.
So what do you think? Is the church responsible for making people feel reflective on Good Friday or joyous on Easter Sunday? Or is it a matter of personal attitude? And should that attitude be maintained throughout the year? Also, How does your church make decisions? Is everyone welcome to give their input?
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Comments (5)
I'm all for rejoicing at all time. I definitely think it's an attitude. Everyone should always be completely present and immersing themselves in every service.
However, it isn't the Church's job to make people feel reflective or joyous at all. Christ gave His Church a threefold mission, to teach (Matthew 28:20), to Sanctify (Matthew 28:19, Luke 22:19, John 20:23) and the mission to govern (Matthew 18:17-18, Luke 10:16). That is the job of the Church, not to make everyone of the congregation happy, or to make sure the church music gives the right feel or to entertain it's audience.
I feel like, yes, we all should get something out of Church, but what's more important is that we're giving our time and presence to God. We go to Church as an act of faith because God wants us there, God wants to spend time with us. If you're only looking at what you get out of the service, or if it's boring or if the music isn't to your liking... you're kind of missing the point. Learn from the services, grow in holiness, and abide by the Commandments, however, also ask God what can you do for Him. How can you love Him more fully, and become more Christ-like. Church isn't supposed to bend to our will, we are all supposed to bend to God's Will.
While it is true that since Christ was raised from the dead on the first Easter and conquered death, it is plausible to consider Easter just like any other Sunday. But to me, this complacent Christian attitude misses out on enriching our spiritual lives by renewing our faith and celebrating the Paschal mystery. G-d commanded Israel to remember the Passover from Egypt which freed His people from the bonds of slavery every year, so why should the faithful not do the same for *our* Passover which frees us from the bonds of the slavery to sin?
Coming from a tradition which uses the 40 days of Lent prior to the Passion of the Christ, we enter into a time of preparation, a spring training for the soul where we practice prayer, fasting, abstinence and good works. That way we are ready for the championship week and can celebrate the victory over death.
This year, I chose to celebrate Holy Week in a variety of traditions. Some rites (like the Latins) emphasize the Sacrificial nature of the Passion. Eastern rites revel in the Glorification of the Triduum, where the Messiah's obedience to his Father's Will fulfilled the Divine Plan and instituted the new covenant. I did the vigil at a Syriac rite church which did comparatively little to celebrate the resurrection, which was kind of a let down.
The initial post takes a rationalist approach to the resurrection and seems poised not to make a big deal of the commemoration. Personally, that is difficult to accept in the Christian mythos. The Messiah king who comes as a servant to the lowest of society. God allowing Himself to be crucified with thieves and brigands. Christ dying to give eternal life and restore God's family. These are deep theosophical contradictions which are not readily understandable rationally and need to be gradually appreciated through the eyes of faith.
Culturally, humans are ritualistic because they need familiarity and reminders of essential truths. But you need to grow in faith. It is a shallow faith if you only associate Easter with baskets and bunnies. I learn new things every Holy Week. I can recall most of my Easter celebrations. Oh what a pity if you choose to treat it like any other Sunday.
@DistrictofCalamity - Remembering what happened and having an attitude of celebration are two different things. I am not trying to make the case that we should not set aside a special time to remember, nor am I saying that Easter shouldn't be celebratory. What I am trying to get across here is that we should: "Rejoice in the Lord always!" Not JUST on Easter.
@BehindTheSeens@xanga - Don't forget, this is kind of beside the topic, but the purpose of church is ALSO to give Christians a time of fellowship with one another. That is important, too. And while God is with us at church (where two or more are gathered...) He is also with us throughout the week. If a person is counting only on their time at church to nourish their relationship with our Creator then they're missing out on the true treasure trove that is personal time spent in the word and in prayer! That was kind of the point I was trying to make. Your relationship with God isn't based on the church's ability to 'make you happy'. Its personal, and like you pointed out its an attitude, a personal attitude that each person brings to their alone time with God as well as their time in corporate worship! Thanks for your comment.
@Jessicasutopia@xanga I agree that we should always rejoice in the resurrection. But commemorations/celebrations on a yearly basis tend to be part of human culture. Why do most of us celebrate birthdays? After all, it's just any other day
Having done a marathon of different Holy Week experiences, I found different framings for the same Passion and Resurrection. Latin Catholics seem to emphasize sacrifice, Byzantines look to the "Glorification" (the events were crucial to the Divine Plan the reorders heaven and Earth) and it is said that Syriac-Antiochian tradition highlights Hope (sharing the Glory of the Cross to the four corners of the Earth). But I come from a liturgical and ritual tradition that considers corporate worship important.
It is commendable to try to hold on to the spirit of the season throughout the year. But if you keep a Christmas tree up 365 days, it loses it specialness. It doesn't make the reality of the Incarnation any less relevant.
May you bask in the Paschal Joy every day then, not just on Sundays.