An atheist and cynic once remarked that Christians don't look saved. He had a point. While we enjoy youth and good health, we assume that we will be around forever. But the mortality rate in life is one-hundred percent! And to be honest, most people, even religious ones, fear death. We fear judgement and we are terrified of God. But today's readings paint a different picture, and they all have a common thread: God has saved us, God intends happiness for us, God is not angry with us, God has vanquished death. The images are life-giving, and speak of banquets, tears being wiped away, and the love of One who willingly died so that we might live. The Word of God challenges us to cleanse the fearful images and thoughts from our hearts and minds, and to show by our joyful trust in the One who saves that we have truly come to believe. A Christian should not be defined as someone who is perfect, for that is clearly not the case, but as someone who lives in joyful trust and hope of the salvation of a loving God.

Jesus seemed to die in utter desolation and despair. The words "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" are truly heartrending on the lips of an innocent man dying a horrible death. But these words are taken from Psalm 22, and that psalm ends on a note of hope and joy in the mercy and compassion of God. Perhaps each of us should ask ourselves a searching question: Do I look saved?