Sunday!

Today (August 19) would have been mom's 83rd birthday.  She died a couple of months ago on June 9.  Traditionally, the church celebrates those who have gone before us on their death anniversary rather than on their birth dates.

I always found this a bit odd because birthdays have a much more positive and joyful feel to them.  In the wisdom of the church, death anniversaries remind us of the full life of the individual and of the day when they entered into glory.  This is made possible because Jesus defeated sin and death on Good Friday and rose to new life on Easter Sunday. As I go through this day and think about mom and how I would have called her on the phone to tell her I love her, I will also remember that today is a Sunday. 

Sunday, the day when the women found the tomb empty!  Sunday, the day when we heard, He is not here.  He is risen!  Sunday, the day of resurrection!  Sunday, the new eighth day of creation!  Sunday, a taste of what is to come when there will be a new heaven and a new earth! Sunday, a day that points to that time when we will be reunited with all of those who have faithfully lived and died!  Sunday!

Sunday!  Sunday!  Sunday!