From the Pastor
I recently came across this Easter prayer from Henri Nouwen, one of the true saints of the church: “As I walked through the dark woods at the end of this Easter day, full of intimate joy, I heard you call Mary Magdalene by her name, and heard how you called from the shore of the lake to your friends to throw out their nets. I also saw you entering the closed room where your disciples were gathered in fear. I saw you appearing on the mountain and at the outskirts of the village. How intimate these events really are. They are like special favors to dear friends. They were not done to impress or overwhelm anyone, but simply to show that your love is stronger than death. O Lord, I know now that it is in silence, in a quiet moment, in a forgotten corner that you will meet me, call me by name and speak to me a word of peace. It is in my stillest hour that you become the risen Lord to me.”
Are we ready for such an Easter…an Easter that dares to proclaim a living Lord with us here and now? Are we ready for a God who might be right here in the laundry room, the bathroom and the boardroom; who might actually be interested in the work of a Christian Education committee and a Board of Trustees?
Take another look at the Gospel resurrection stories. They are different, a little strange, perhaps even a little weird. But notice that it all happens right here in this messy world, with these messy bodies, that hurt and break, but also run and dance and cry and weep, and then experience great joy. Let’s not get so enamored with our discussions of Easter – was there really an empty tomb – that we miss Easter. Because in the real resurrection story, real life in the here and now is what matters most. In the words of UCC minister, Lillian Daniel, “The tomb wasn’t really empty after all…Nothing in this life is empty, is what Jesus might have said. Stick around. Look deeper into those tombs. In the broken bodies and the broken bread, I’m right here with you, in the here and now.” Happy Easter!
Gene
