Easter Is Always Now Poem by James Tipp

‘He is not here’, proclaimed in bold letters
So often these words ring true in paradoxical style.
The empty tomb proclaimed a new beginning
He would be forever here the experience of many
But the centuries have dimmed the liberation from death
Rolled the stone back only to be opened at Easter
For the rest we just repeat the story annually.
Our words and rituals have marred his living image
Confined him to certain people at certain times
Yet the living Lord meets with those outside their time
Outside the appropriate places set aside by those who know!
We have forgotten it is forever Easter, forever empty
Our systems for containing the one who walks among us
Are dying because he is worshiped in the past
But he is always future always before, always outside
Outside the tomb of control we seek to capture him in
Met by the multitude in their glimpse of the divine