Arma Christi VI: Easter Day
Reredos, St Thomas' Church New York Alleluia Christ is Risen! The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia. So he is risen; but what is he wearing? Here on Fifth Avenue on Easter Day we need no reminder of the importance of dressing up, whether bonnets or other attire; clothes, we remember, often make us who we are, or make a day or an event what it is. There have been clothes scattered across the stage of this great story of Jesus' passion and death. We began this great week with a story of people throwing cloaks on the road in front of Jesus as he entered Jerusalem in humble triumph riding on a donkey. In the remembrance of the Last Supper, we recalled Jesus taking off his outer garment and girding himself with a towel to wash the disciples' feet. During his trial, Jesus was arrayed in a purple robe, and mocked as the upstart King of the Jews. Then at the cross he was stripped of his garments altogether and the soldiers gambled for them. Much as artistic tradition...
