April, 2019

But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared.  They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two others in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but they said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He’s not here but has risen.” Luke 24:1-5

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?”  This haunting powerful question is unique to the gospel of Luke.  It’s part of our reading Easter morning.

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?” How does this question hit you today?  What ‘dead’ have you encountered of late? How have you had to grieve the losses of your dreams, expectations, or perceptions of life, the world, humanity in all its edges, yourself, God?  In so doing, how have you potentially been directly towards new life? New ways of doing things or looking at them?

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?” Words of promise follow, “He’s not here but has risen.”  These women who expected to honor and tend to the body of their beloved dead one are perplexed and bewildered by the unexpected--no body, an empty tomb.  Imagine how that moment must have transpired. When were you last startled and confused by the unexpected? How did it begin to take you down a new path of thinking, seeing, understanding, and being?  

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?” That question is convicting.  Too often I (we) can look for life in places of death. When or where have you sought to be fed, nourished, uplifted, encouraged, or taught by that which depletes life from you versus offer life to you?  How do you regularly use your time, talents, and resources? What sucks you in and sends you down the ‘rabbit hole’ of feeling spent, overwhelmed, burdened? Is it sitting at a desk or in a car for hours on end? Perusing emails, social media, headlines, negative press, cynicism, blame?  What about resisting to take in new information and stories or ideas that differ from your own, expanding understanding and knowledge? Too often these counter the life I experience in gifts like being outdoors, exercise, eating healthy, allowing for quiet, slowing down as I go about my daily tasks, taking time to be with God--sharing all of who I am while listening for Holy Wisdom, dwelling with the Word in scripture, life experience, and the stories of those I encounter in any given day, worship, holy communion, and experiencing the love and grace in Jesus and his Body--the Church in all its strength and weakness.  

“Why do you look for the living among the dead?  He’s not here but has risen.” Holy Week and Easter is an invitation to experience a life-giving holy presence that enters in at darkest moments when humanity turns in on itself, seeking to destroy the offer of love, acceptance, peace, mercy, justice.  And in that reality, love unfolds even still. That’s how far Divine Love and Life is willing to go. The Beloved Three in One refuses to ignore and not name the impact of death in our lives while at the same time offering more than death, but LIFE not just for some, but for ALL.  It’s quite the unfolding holy telling. May the LIFE it has to offer, touch the very center of your being. May YOU experience new life and resurrection in ways you don’t expect but sorely need.

I was recently told by a delighted parent how full her child’s cup was filled on a Sunday morning visit. The story at children’s time, a walk in the labyrinth, and the bread at communion brought great joy!  So much so, her beloved child couldn’t wait to come back and told everyone he met for days after how “good God’s bread is!” I imagine this joy is like that of the women as they wrapped their minds around the empty tomb and went forth to share the Good News with their companions.  Their reception mattered not. May such joy touch your life this holy season.

Walking with you in Jesus Christ, Pastor Dawn


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