
There is a curious phenomenon that occurs in the Church sometime after Easter Day.
One might assume that after trumpets have been blown, lilies have been admired, and an heroic quantity of chocolate has been consumed in the name of resurrection joy, things would settle down a little.
One would be mistaken.
Because Easter joy does not so much calm down as it quietly moves into the parish calendar… and begins scheduling things.
Suddenly, there are meetings again.
Emails reappear like particularly persistent alleluias.
The photocopier, which had been resting peacefully through Holy Week, awakens with renewed purpose.
Someone asks about the parish barbecue.
Someone else asks about stewardship.
And someone — always someone — asks if the coffee could be just a little stronger.
It is at precisely this moment that we may be tempted to think:
“Well, Easter was lovely… but now we are back to ordinary life.”
But here is the delightful surprise of the Resurrection:
There is no such thing as “back to ordinary.”
Because the risen Christ has an inconvenient habit of showing up in exactly those places we are most tempted to overlook.
In the meeting agenda.
In the pastoral visit.
In the slightly chaotic parish kitchen.
In the quiet conversation after church that runs just a little longer than expected.
Easter does not remove us from the world.
It transforms the world from the inside out.
Which means that even the parish calendar — yes, even that — becomes a place where resurrection life is quietly unfolding.
Now, I will admit that this can be difficult to remember when one is staring at a to-do list that appears to have been written by someone with an unusually optimistic view of human capacity.
But Easter joy is not dependent on our efficiency.
Thanks be to God.
Easter joy is the quiet, persistent assurance that Christ is alive…
…and therefore nothing is wasted.
Not the small acts.
Not the unnoticed kindnesses.
Not even the slightly disorganized committee meeting that somehow, by grace, still manages to bear fruit.
The risen Christ is already there.
Ahead of us.
Among us.
Working through us.
Which means that the great miracle of Easter is not only that the tomb is empty —
— but that the world is full.
Full of grace.
Full of possibility.
Full of small, ordinary moments where resurrection quietly takes root.
Even in the parish calendar.
Especially there.
And so we move into these days not with a sigh of resignation, but with a quiet smile.
Because Christ is risen.
And apparently… He is quite happy to attend meetings.
Companion Prayer
Risen Lord,
You meet us not only in glory,
but in the ordinary rhythms of our days.
Be present in our work,
our conversations,
and even in our busy schedules.
Give us eyes to see your life at work
in small and simple moments,
and hearts ready to serve with joy.
Remind us again and again
that your resurrection fills all things.
And teach us to live
as people of Easter hope.
Amen.








