Between Easters

This is the week between Easter as it is celebrated in the “Western” Church and Easter as it is celebrated in the “Eastern” Church. Very broadly speaking, Roman Catholicism and Protestantism are considered Western and Orthodoxy is considered Eastern. It’s a long, long story.

Last Sunday in our church we sang “Christ is Alive” by 20th century hymn writer Brian Wren. One stanza particularly struck me when churches and nations are bitterly divided between and within themselves, and when two largely Orthodox nations, Russia and Ukraine, are engaged in a bloody war that threatens us all. I will simply quote that stanza here. Take from it whatever it gives to you…

In every insult, rift, and war

where color, scorn, or wealth divide,

(Christ) suffers still, yet loves the more,

and lives, though ever crucified.