In the Creeds, we don’t say, that we believe in the resurrection of the soul,

We say, we believe in the resurrection of the body.

That is, Christians shouldn’t be saying that the soul separates from the body and all we have left is this immortal soul, 

and the body is completely cast off like a useless banana peel.

It’s almost impossible not to come to a Good Friday service 

and feel sorry for your imperfections, 

and assume that the sermon will have as its title: 

“Jesus died for your sins.” 

And no doubt there will be a majority of preachers today preaching a sermon on precisely that theme.

In our year of living with COVID-19, 

many of us have felt like we’re under siege as well.

We’ve been fearful these past 12 months.

Whoever now visits this coastline, and drives along the coastal highway, will notice an impressive row of exclusive clubhouses.

The coastline is still as dangerous as ever, 

but most of the shipwrecked people drown.

We need to repent and lament these texts that have been taken for over the centuries to abuse Black people.

What authority can we muster to destroy racism and prejudice?

What authority can we claim to search out the white supremacy culture in our own hearts, in our own institutions?

What power can we summon to call out the evils of consumer capitalism that enrich the Wall Street gamblers 

and the top 0.01% 

while the have-nots and Black, Indigenous and People of Colour continue to be disproportionately affected by COVID?

My homework for you this week is this:

Think of one or two people who helped your parents raise you.

Think about them, how they assisted your parents when you were young, and give God a prayer of thanks and gratitude for them this week.

And yet, in the midst of the fear, we hear the words of the angel

To those on their knees:

“do not be afraid!”

When you’re young, you’re aware of the presence of loved ones at Christmas.

And when you’re old, you’re aware of the absence of loved ones at Christmas.

That’s a big difference.

Through this year, and into the new year, 

we need to cling fast to the promises that Israel clung to,

The covenant, the contractual relationship between God and God’s people.

God will not abandon us and God does not abandon us.

God promises comfort, and comfort will come.