Our Redeemer's Blog

Pastor’s Letter – May 2023

by Pastor Gretchen

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared.2They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, 3but when they went in, they did not find the body. 4While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. 5The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. – Luke 24

My Christmas cactus is blooming. 

At Easter.

The last time it bloomed was right before Thanksgiving. The silly thing has apparently been confused for years. After I bought it, it bloomed nicely then dropped its blooms and turned purple. I thought it was dead, so I left it outside by the compost bin for six months. Then one day it turned green again when the rain started last fall. Well, parts of it did. 

When my aunt started into hospice it kept blooming right until she died. 

And now, here it is again, showing life when it really should be dead. It’s a “Thanks-geaster Lenten” cactus, reminding me that time in the tomb is necessary. And that those we lose are not as gone as we sometimes feel, and that hope is a gift we all need – so badly. Because I miss her so much. 

…I know we all have those people. 

This entire month of May is Easter, more than just one day, and we are Easter people who have found our way out of the tomb. The rejuvenation of the earth helps us remember that resurrection is God’s intention for all of us as an ongoing part of all of creation, not just a hope that we have for the future. All the leaves and flowers and new growth springing forth can’t help but show us how God can make something living out of something that appeared to be dead. 

As we focus this month on caring for the Earth, and being good stewards of all God has given us, I pray that we will remember that we are part of that creation, and we need to care for ourselves as well. 

Maybe you feel like you’re the one sitting out by the compost bin, left for dead. But you are not forgotten, and resurrection is for you. And maybe you’re the one who has life in you yet and can help pull someone back from the edge, filled with hope and care. God uses us all.

So, here’s my cactus. Stupid cactus of HOPE. Wonderful cactus of resurrection.

Thanks be to God.