I Will Raise Them Up

No one can come to me unless the Father
who sent me draws them, 
and I will raise them up at the last day.
-John 6:44

If you’ve ever been to an All Saints’ Easter service, you’re more than likely singing that last phrase and perhaps one (or both?) arms are creeping up above your shoulders. Singing the hymn “I am the Bread of the Life,” whose words are drawn from this Bible passage, is one of our most beloved Easter traditions at ASBH. It serves as a communal affirmation of the journey we’ve undertaken together to walk with Jesus from Palm Sunday to the cross and out of the empty tomb. The ritual of waving our arms over our heads and beaming at each other as we sing our lungs out may seem better suited to a Southern Gospel revival than an Episcopal parish in Beverly Hills, but we cherish this experience and are sad to miss it again in 2021.

Yet more than ever, we can hold fast to Jesus’ promises in this verse. God continues to seek us out and draw us in, we scattered Saints at Home.  The gauntlet of fatigue, anxiety and despair of these Covid times can wear us down some days. But God remains a steady beacon to bring us out of the dark corners and guide us back to the light. Jesus promises us we have a shared hope in that glorious last day when we will all be together forever. So, may we face today with heads high, arms raised and a song in our hearts, “He will rai-aise them UP on the la-ast daaay.”

-Karen Swift

Let us pray…

Lord, draw me near to you. Keep my heart and mind open to your presence and your peace when worry and fear crowd my thoughts. Help me remember Lent is a season, but we are an Easter people and let me trust in the bright future Jesus promises. Amen.