Reflections on Easter

Easter, our yearly commemoration of Christ's death and ressurection is past and now we look forward to Ascension Day!  This year I preached a sermon about the thief on the cross. What really moved me during the reading and studying of this text was the extreme, incredible humiliation our Lord had to endure, before and during the crucifixion.  Think of the utter humiliation of hanging there - naked - as people walked by. A naked God, a naked Messiah, a naked Jesus - helpless! Oh what a mystery - all this for the forgiveness of my sins. May we never trivialize the devastating effect of sin on this world - so severe that God himself, in the person of Jesus Christ had to make things ' right '.

During ' Holy Week ' I visited two ships with rather interesting names;
M/V New Command and the M/V Cape Grace.  The ships' names reminded me of two Bible verses namely;  1)  John 13:34 where Jesus is quoted as saying, " A New Commandment I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." And 2) the words of the apostle Paul who writes to the Ephesians; " It is by Grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourself, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that one can boast."

During recent ship visits I asked, Philippino seafarers if Easter is a big celebration in their country.  Apparently it's a huge celebration according to them.  "There are even those who crucify themselves," some answered! I asked them why they would do such a thing?  " To do penance for their sins."  In our discussions I graciously pointed them to the words of Paul which are mentioned above. I would also use the words of the Catechism where the question is asked, " How are you right with God? " and the profound answer is this, " Only by true faith in Jesus Christ - as if I had never sinned nor been a sinner as if I had been as perfectly obedient as Christ was obedient for me - All I need to do is to accept this gift of God with a believing heart." ( Heidelberg Catechism - L.D 23 - Q/A 60 )

This week I took three sailors to Ladner to do some shopping. They were desperate to buy some much needed items, especially since their next destination is Finland - a voyage of almost 50 days! When I do this and when I bring them back to the ships they usually give me a tip to cover the fuel cost. With me were a Ukrainian electrician and two sailors from Sri Lanka.  All three were very friendly.  As I brought them back to the ship the moment of tipping came up. How much would it be?  Arriving at the ship,  I suddenly saw the electrician put his hand in one of the shopping bags and pull out three apples.  Looking at me, he starts handing me the apples. With a loud voice he says, " This one is the Father, this one is the Son and the third one is the Holy Spirit "  Of course, this week the Eastern/Greek Orthodox churches are celebrating Christ's resurrection and this was his ' tip ". for me!