Yesterday's sermon (Easter) began and ended with the familiar call and response, "Jesus Christ is risen!" "He is risen indeed! Alleluia!"

Of course, those are common Easter greetings but I also heard the same call and responses four months earlier to the day during Advent. Advent? Yes, Advent. The occasion was my father's funeral and our pastor begins and ends each funeral sermon with that call and response. How fitting! Encapsulated in the call and response is our faith in the saving work of Jesus and that he lives, our loved one lives with Him, and we will as well. In between is the funeral sermon of the Gospel of Christ's saving work.

Nothing else can be said that brings so much comfort.

"Jesus Christ is risen!" "He is risen indeed! Alleluia!"