I prefer to put an H at the front of the word “Alleluia,” because then it requires more energy to say it – or shout it or sing it. Hallelujah. Halleluia, Hamdalilah (the Arabic translation which Muslims use), Alleluia – however you say it or spell it; it is an expression of deep joy. We Christians reintroduce Hallelujah at Easter, because of the joy that is released in the Resurrection – “Alleluia: Christ is Risen!” Because Jesus rose from the tomb, Hallelujah erupts from the depth of the soul.
In church during the Easter season, we both say and sing Hallelujah at every opportunity. It is almost as if we can’t help ourselves. But as important as it is for our soul’s health to claim the Resurrection with a statement of joy, of even more importance is how we live Hallelujah. How does the expression of joy move to the transformation of life?
We are invited to give thanks for the gift of Resurrection life. And we are also invited to share that life by passing the Easter gift on. Three years ago our diocese introduced the Alleluia Fund. It gives individuals and congregations an opportunity to live Hallelujah by making a financial gift. The gathered funds support some thirty ministries within the diocese and beyond that engage in outreach ministry such as food pantries, after-school programs, shelters and services for the homeless and much, much more. (See the full list of Alleluia Fund grant recipients in 2012.) The Alleluia Fund provides an opportunity for us to celebrate life by giving some of the fruit of our Easter life to others. It passes our joy to situations and people that could use a healthy dose of it.
While we focus on the Alleluia Fund giving through the Hallelujah season, which runs from Easter to Pentecost, we invite people to live Hallelujah throughout the year.
I invite you to sing, pray, say – and live Hallelujah.
You can donate to the Alleluia Fund online, or mail a check payable to Diocese of Newark with Alleluia Fund in the memo line to:
Alleluia Fund
c/o Diocese of Newark
31 Mulberry St.
Newark, NJ 07102
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