Our Triumphant Song

Now is the time of our triumphant song. Throughout Eastertide, we will be singing three troparia that have the same verse:

“Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling down death by death!
And on those in the tombs bestowing life.”

This little verse makes me wonder if I have to wait until I’m in a tomb to have a taste of that life--or is it available here, now, in this moment of singing?

Right now, I’m breathing. If I pinch myself, I feel it. And when I open my eyes, I can see--so I guess I am alive. But have I tasted Life? Often, haunted by tombs hewn by dysfunctional families, mean bosses, overbearing parents, abusive teachers or priests, we feel that life is elusive. The tombs stand in sharp relief, ever-present, overwhelming us with a very different chorus:

“You can’t!
You’re mine!
My heavy stone has sealed you in!”

So shall I just mouth the triumphant song of Easter, while the defeatist song of the tomb really plays in my heart? No. God is not content with listening to tunes of pity and self-dejection. God has snappier lyrics and rhythms in mind.

When it comes to resurrection, we are all half-siblings of Lazarus. Jesus, in agitation, paces back and forth in front of our painfully comfortable tombs, calling out a name. Can you hear it? Sounds just like--well, your name and mine!

Wait a minute, maybe I don’t want to leave this comfortable place that I’ve been building all my life. Maybe I’d rather moan out the tomb dirge:

“You can’t!
You’re mine!
My heavy stone has sealed you in!”

But Jesus is ill content to let death win.

A name is called, yours and mine. Scraping and sliding stones roll and move. Light pours into dank spaces of death, chasing away gloom and doubt. A new strength appears that stands on the foundation of courage. New possibilities fan out across expanding horizons. Life gently prods us to take the first step out of the tomb into the grandeur of being.

At the confluence of heart, soul, mind, and body, a hymn slowly rises and builds:

“Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling down death by death!
And on those in the tombs bestowing life.”

Now is the time of our triumphant song.

Joel t