On that first Easter day the women went to the tomb and were greeted not by death but by life. They were directed not to weeping but called to not be afraid. After this, in Luke’s Gospel we find a radically different account of something that transpires and only he records it for us. It is something which happens not with the 11 disciples in the upper room but to two previously unknown, at least to us, disciples.

Why is this night different from all other nights? Traditionally, the youngest child at the dinner table would ask this question as part of the Passover meal. This meal brought to remembrance the great acts of God for His people Israel, delivering them from slavery in Egypt so long ago. Rightly called the Passover, because the angel of the Lord passed over the homes of God’s people which were marked with the blood of a lamb. They were saved from the final plague that brought death over the land. So every year after, God’s people celebrated, ate and drank, remembered their gift of salvation.

By Graham Glover

Last Sunday, I had the privilege to serve as the celebrant during the Divine Service at our parish in Hawaii. I am always grateful to my civilian peers when they afford me the opportunity to assist them during worship. Words cannot express how efficacious their gesture is for my faith and affirming it is for my vocation. One day I will shed the Army uniform, but Lord willing, I will always wear the collar.