The Resurrection Bird

My mother-in-law visited Christ Church for Easter. We picked her up on the way to the service, and as we were leaving her development, we heard squawking. She said the peacocks, which had settled in their neighborhood a number of years ago, were out early that day.

I told her that was appropriate because peacocks were a symbol for immortality and the resurrection in early Christian artwork. The ancient Greeks believed that a peacock's flesh didn't decay after death, so Christians adopted the image of the peacock to represent Christ's victory over death and the promise of eternal life. The peacock's ever-renewing, beautiful plumage also symbolized the resurrection and the Christian's transformation into a new and glorious life.

After church, we dropped my mother-in-law off, and on our way out of the development, lo and behold, we saw a peacock strolling along the street! (See photo above.)

God is good, friends. He is ever reminding us that new life is here in the hearts of his people because of what Jesus has done. And that new life will one day see its fulfillment in his glorious return and the resurrection of his people. May we hold tight to that hope, and may God use us to share that message with those around us.

Grace and peace,

Fr. Darin+