Michelle's Musings

On Monday afternoon, the day after Easter, I dressed up in my cassock and surplice and once again stood on Washington Road, at the top of the steps to the T. This time, instead of “Ashes to Go,” I celebrated “Easter to Go.” And, as you might expect, instead of a daub of ashes on people’s foreheads, I passed out chocolate. And a card, proclaiming the simple message, “The Easter season is more than just one day of candy. If you are looking for a community of faith, love and acceptance, please visit St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.”

Theologically, Easter to go makes a lot of sense. As I told some of the passers-by, it’s all about grace. On Easter Sunday, our kids ran through St. Margaret’s Garden, looking frantically for hidden Easter eggs with candy inside. But, on Monday, people didn’t have to work at all. All they had to do was walk up the steps from the T (or ride the elevator), and I would be there, offering it to them. It wasn’t leftover candy, or cheap stuff. It was quality (Hershey’s) Easter goodies, offered to anyone who passed me. I didn’t make distinctions between people – everyone was offered the same stuff. And, it wasn’t forced – people were free to refuse. But, for those who accepted, there was an unexpected treat.

In some ways, grace operates exactly like this. There is nothing we can do to earn grace. God offers it freely, to everyone. We are free to accept, or to refuse. But the grace we are offered is exactly the same, no matter who we are. It doesn’t matter if we are rich or poor; it doesn’t matter whether we are cradle Episcopalians, or if we just joined the church or recommitted our lives to Christ this afternoon. In the parable of the prodigal son, and the parable of the workers in the vineyard, Jesus reminds us that everyone gets the same grace, all we have to do is accept.

It is also a great message to share with the world. Perhaps even more important than the message of Ash Wednesday. Easter to Go celebrates the fact that God does love us, and reaches out to us, wherever we are. It reminds people that more than anything else, we are about hope. And, it invites people to join us, to find the source of that hope. Researchers have shown that today, many people are unsure about Christianity. They don’t know what Christians stand for. And, in the face of a half dozen churches that line up on Washington Road alone, they don’t know what makes us different. Why should they come to our church, and not some other one? And, whom should they speak to, to find out more? Going out to spread Easter joy let Mt. Lebanon know that we are a resurrection people, ready to meet others where they are, and to support them no matter what they are doing.

I can imagine that right now, some people are wondering, “Well, we’ve done Ashes to Go, and now Easter to Go. What’s next? Pentecost to Go?” Well, yes, but…

Pentecost is when we celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit, empowering us all (not just the clergy) to go out and proclaim the Good News. We remember this every year, when we hear the story in Acts, of all the disciples speaking in different languages, so that all who gathered could hear and understand the word of God.

For the last two years, Lou and I have distributed ashes at the start of Ash Wednesday, to remind everyone that they are always welcome to repent and return to the Lord. This year, I passed out Easter candy, as a visible sign that all are loved and welcomed by God. How might you mark Pentecost to Go? What way could you show the world that God loves them?

-Michelle

P.S. – Thanks to Vestry member and all-around great guy Peter Balfe, for assisting me with the distribution of Easter to Go goodies, and snapping this great picture!