In-between ecumenical Easter

In recent years the celebration of Easter according to the Julian or Gregorian calendars has not been five weeks apart like this year. It's strange to be singing alleluia and yet know that many Orthodox brothers and sisters are still fasting. Four days after Orthodox Easter this year the western calendar will mark Ascenion day.
In coming years - 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2017 - the two calendars will celebrate EAster together but as Dagmar Heller wrote in 2001

"The fact that the two dates coincide in 2001, at the beginning of the new millenium, has raised the hope that this could be the start of a common celebration of the central event of our Christian faith every year. But at the same time it is already clear from the recent discussions taking place in the ecumenical movement, that a decision among the churches concerning a common date for Easter will not happen in the near future, although there is already a certain history on this topic and a proposed solution is on the table."

So we will just have to find a way through this inbetween time. One of the things I've appreciated about it is that it can also be a time to learn from other traditions. Even through Lent the resurrection grants hope and light.

Meanwhile this week my colleague Yvette Milosevic has been leading morning prayers which I've posted to the documents section. I particularly appreciated this prayer:

Prayer
Lord Jesus, bruised for and by our iniquities, risen for our salvation, please receive our prayers for all your world. Especially we pray this Easter for those members of your human family who are dying, and for all who are grieving their passing.

Wherever this day death arrives with the roar of bombs or the rattle of machine guns, come risen Christ Jesus;
Come quickly living God with your Easter light and salvation.

Wherever today death arrives with the malnutrition and disease of refugee camps, come risen Christ Jesus;
Come quickly living God, with your Easter light and salvation.

Wherever today death arrives with the assassins knife or the bullet of the hit man, come risen Christ Jesus;
Come quickly living God with your Easter light and salvation.

Wherever today death arrives with the swallowing of illegal drugs or the insertion of an injection needle, come risen Christ Jesus;
Come quickly living God with your Easter light and salvation.

Wherever death arrives today with the squeal of car tyres or the shouts of an alcoholic brawl, come risen Christ Jesus;
Come quickly living God with your Easter light and salvation.

Wherever death arrives today despite the best of medical care, and watched over by loved ones, come risen Christ Jesus;
Come quickly living God with your Easter light and salvation.

Whenever death arrives today as a most welcome friend to those whose bodies are wasted and who long to go home, come risen Christ Jesus;
Come quickly living God with your Easter light and salvation.

Wherever death has left in its wake desolate loved ones, desperate orphans, or angry people looking for revenge, come risen Christ Jesus;
Come quickly living God with your Easter light and salvation.

God of Easter, let it be written indelibly on our mind and soul, that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, nothing can sever us from your grace. Let is be so written that we awake each morning with faith and hope ingrained, and with love ready to flow through every deed we do, to the glory of your wonderful name!
Amen.