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Prayer of the Day
Historical Collect
Almighty God, you have overcome death through your only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, and have opened to us the gate of everlasting life. We humbly beseech you that as you put into our minds good desires, so by your continual help we may bring them to good effect; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Thematic Collect
God of all mercy and grace, your only Son’s death and glorious resurrection have delivered us from the power of death and redeemed all creation. Grant that we may no longer look for the living among the dead and instead daily die to sin and rise to newness of life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Thoughts on the Readings
The Common Thread
The new creation begins in Christ so that those who believe will be a part of the new creation of all things. This is our inheritance. Indeed, Christ himself is our inheritance. We can want for no more, as there is nothing good apart from him. Only in his presence is there complete joy, for he is the way of life. In Christ Jesus’ victory over death, in his resurrection, the new creation dawns.
First Reading • Isaiah 65:17–25
Two apostles affirm the prophet’s words (2 Peter 3:13; Rev 21:1). God is creating all things new; and we will live to see the new creation. Life will triumph over death for those who trust in the Lord. Those who rely on this world will be accursed and die. But those whose trust is the Lord will be forgiven—“former things will not be remembered”—and will enjoy a restored paradise on the holy mountain, the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:20).
Psalm • Psalm 16:1–11
The Lord is our focus, for beyond him there is nothing good. Land and wealth, as well as health and friends and family, are all extras, a bonus in life. We must choose the Lord over any and all of these things, taking pains to keep him before us at all times. For it is the Lord who gives us every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). And it is he who gives us a share in glory, and inheritance of eternity.
Second Reading • 1 Corinthians 15:19–26
God’s people used to offer firstfruits of the harvest in thanks for a full harvest to come. They gave the very first of what grew, trusting in God for tomorrow. Paul equates Christ to the firstfruits of an eternal harvest. He was the prior offering of thanksgiving for a fuller harvest to follow. When death, the last enemy, is destroyed, the full harvest of the kingdom will occur. At the return of “Christ the firstfruits,” all those who belong to Christ (Gal 5:24), including “the dead in Christ” (1 Thes 4:16), will be raised in the harvest to come.
Gospel • Luke 24:1–12
The change has begun. What God promised through Isaiah has already started in Christ. For whoever heard of someone coming back to life? Surely, Lazarus comes to mind. Yet Christ Jesus raised him from the dead. Who raised Christ (Rom 8:11)? God is doing a new thing (Isa 43:19). While we continue on in the old ways, seeking the dead among the tombs, God is making all things new. Jesus is not here, for the living are not to be found among the dead.
