Kamehameha Schools has created a series of Hawaiian-focused devotionals for the season of Lent, to honor the deep Christian faith of KS founder Princess Bernice Pauahi Pākī Bishop. The devotionals were designed to be used by students, staffers and others to celebrate the coming of Easter.

Heluhelu Baibala
Bible reading
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” ‒ Matthew 28:5-6

ʻŌlelo maila ka ʻānela i ua mau wāhine lā, “Mai makaʻu ʻolua; no ka mea, ua ʻike au e ʻimi ana ʻolua iā Iesū i ka mea i kaulia ma ke keʻa. ʻAʻole ia ma ʻaneʻi; no ka mea, ua ala aʻe ia e like me kāna ʻōlelo ʻana; e haele mai ʻolua e nānā i kahi i waiho ai ʻo ka Haku.” ‒ Mataio 28:5-6

He Manaʻo o ke Kahu Manu Naeole, KSK‘96
I loved swinging my nephews around when they were younger. I would hold their hands, stand in one spot, and spin in a circular motion while remaining in the same spot on the floor. I loved the looks of bewilderment on their faces and the stumbling steps they would take as they tried to recenter themselves and regain balance after spinning. Our season of fasting leaves most of us off balance. We rid ourselves of old habits, and new habits sprouted. We exposed our old wounds, and new bandages started the healing process. We uprooted deep biases and sins, and new love takes root in our souls. The newness of life can be unsettling because the world has changed.

The women who discover Jesus’ empty tomb are in shock as the world changes overnight. “Do not be afraid,” says the angel. “Mai makaʻu” (Matt 28:6). “Don’t be alarmed” (Mark 16:6). The world has changed for the women and Jesus, and as the women attempt to find their balance, Jesus brings comfort. We might expect that after all the warnings Jesus gave his disciples and followers of his coming death and resurrection, the people would rejoice upon initial discovery. Instead, scripture tells us that people are afraid, bewildered, and cautious. Jesus comforts the people as the world changes, “Do not be afraid” (Matt 28:10).

“He is not here; He has risen” (Matt 28:5). Jesus is alive and well. The world-changing discovery of the empty tomb shakes the souls of the women. Fasting and praying also shake our souls, but there is hope in the uncertainty. “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb 13:8). Easter is a reminder that our God remains steadfast in the uncertainty of a changing world. He has risen. He has risen indeed. ʻĀmene.

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lent,our faith,easter

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