SCRIPTURE: Acts 5:27-32, Revelation 1:4-8 & John 20:19-31
SOMETIMES I THINK THE CHURCH FORGETS OUR TRUE REASON FOR BEING.
WE FORGET THAT FROM THE VERY MOMENT OF INCEPTION WE WERE MEANT TO BELIEVE THE TREMENDOUS DIVINE AND UNIVERSAL FORGIVENESS THAT WAS GIVEN TO THE WORLD IN THE RISEN CHRIST. AND NOTHING REMINDS US OF THIS MISSION BETTER THAN THE STORY OF WHOM TRADITION HAS COME TO NAME “DOUBTING THOMAS,” EVEN THOUGH THE WORD “DOUBT” IS ACTUALLY NOT A PART OF THIS PASSAGE OF SCRIPTURE; BUT WE’LL GET TO THAT IN A MOMENT.
IT’S EVENING ON THE DAY OF THE RESURRECTION AND THE DISCIPLES ARE GATHERED BEHIND LOCKED DOORS—AFRAID. I’M SURE THEY WERE AFRAID THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED TO JESUS COULD HAPPEN TO THEM.
BUT INTO THE MIDST OF THEIR FEAR STEPS JESUS, DECLARING THAT PEACE IS WITH THEM AND SHOWING THEM THE SIGNS OF HIS CRUCIFIXION IMPRINTED ON HIS HANDS AND IN HIS SIDE. THE DISCIPLES ARE FILLED WITH JOY AND CELEBRATION, BUT JESUS IS THERE FOR SOMETHING MORE THAN A PARTY. JESUS ANNOUNCES THE PRESENCE OF PEACE AGAIN, AS IF TO DISSIPATE THE FEAR. AND THEN HE BREATHES HIS SPIRIT INTO THEM IN MUCH THE SAME WAY THAT GOD BREATHED LIFE INTO ADAM AT THE BEGINNING OF HUMAN LIFE ON EARTH.
JESUS REMINDS THE DISCIPLES THAT THEY ARE SENT INTO THE WORLD BY GOD IN THE SAME WAY THAT HE WAS SENT INTO THE WORLD BY GOD.
TO BE A FAITHFUL DISCIPLE OF CHRIST MEANS TO REMOVE ALL LOCKS FROM THE WINDOWS AND DOORS. THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST TAKES PLACE OUT THERE; OUT IN THE REAL WORLD.
NOW THOMAS WASN’T WITH THE REST OF THE DISCIPLES WHEN THEY WERE FIRST VISITED BY THE CHRIST. AND HE ISN’T ABOUT TO BELIEVE THEY HAVE SEEN THE LORD UNTIL HE GETS A CHANCE TO TOUCH THE WOUNDS HIMSELF AND SEE THE PRESENCE OF HIS GOOD FRIEND.
A WEEK LATER, JESUS MAKES HIS PRESENCE KNOWN AGAIN. THIS TIME THE DOORS ARE SHUT RATHER THAN LOCKED. THE DISCIPLES ARE SLOWLY LOSING THEIR FEAR.
AND SUDDENLY JESUS APPEARS AMONG THEM, BRINGING THE PRONOUNCEMENT OF PEACE AND OFFERING THE GIFT OF TOUCH AND SIGHT TO THOMAS, THE ONE WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE.
NOW AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, IF WE LOOK AT THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE OF THIS PASSAGE WE WILL NOT FIND THE GREEK WORD FOR DOUBT. WHAT WE FIND IS A DIFFERENT WORD THAT IS LITERALLY TRANSLATED “NOT HAVING TRUST OR FAITH OR CERTAINTY.” AND TO ME THIS IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT KETTLE OF FISH THAN DOUBTING. THE LITERAL TRANSLATION PUTS THOMAS INTO THE REALM OF QUESTIONING RATHER THAN DOUBTING, AND QUESTIONING IS A DEEPLY IMPORTANT PART OF FAITH DEVELOPMENT.
RABBI JACOB NEUSNER HAS WRITTEN A BOOK ENTITLED A RABBI TALKS WITH JESUS. IN THIS PROFOUND LITTLE VOLUME HE PLACES HIMSELF IN THE POSITION OF MEETING JESUS FACE TO FACE. AND THEN HE TELLS US HOW HE WOULD ARGUE WITH JESUS. HE TELLS US WHAT HIS QUESTIONS WOULD BE AND WHY HE COULD NOT BELIEVE IN JESUS AS ANYTHING OTHER THAN A WISE MAN. ONE OF THE MANY THINGS I LEARNED FROM READING NEUSNER IS THE FACT THAT QUESTIONING IS A LARGE PART OF THE JEWISH FAITH.
HE SAYS, “…WE REGARD THE USE OF THE MIND, THE INTERCHANGE OF THOUGHT, PROPOSITION, REASON, EVIDENCE, ANALYSIS—WE REGARD ARGUMENT AS AN EXERCISE IN THE USE OF WHAT WE SHARE WITH GOD, WHAT MAKES US LIKE GOD, WHICH IS OUR MINDS.” (PG. 30)
NEUSNER’S IDEAS HAVE DRASTICALLY ALTERED MY INTERPRETATION OF THIS EXCHANGE BETWEEN JESUS AND THOMAS. WHERE I USED TO IMAGINE JESUS AS ALMOST ANGRY AT THOMAS FOR HIS UNBELIEF, I CAN NOW SEE JESUS – THE RABBI – AS QUITE ENGAGED IN THE EXCHANGE AND DELIGHTING IN THOMAS AS HE SEARCHES OUT A TRUE FAITH. THOMAS IS USING HIS MIND AND HIS INTELLECT TO MAKE A DECISION THAT WILL CHANGE THE REST OF HIS LIFE. THOMAS IS AT A CROSSROADS. WHAT WILL THOMAS BECOME?
SO JESUS IS SAYING TO THOMAS, “DO NOT BECOME UNBELIEVING, BUT BELIEVING.”
“DO NOT BECOME UNFAITHFUL, BUT FAITHFUL.”
“DO NOT BECOME UNCERTAIN, BUT CERTAIN.”
AND IN THAT MOMENT THOMAS BECOMES THE ROLE MODEL FOR CHRISTIAN FAITH DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT THE GENERATIONS.
HE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE TO TOUCH JESUS TO ANNOUNCE, “MY LORD AND MY GOD.”
BECAUSE OF HIS QUESTIONING MIND THE LIFE DECISION IS MADE, AND THE STORY CONTINUES.
NOW, AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, JESUS DOES NOT COME TO THE DISCIPLES FOR A PARTY. JESUS COMES TO THEM WITH A SPECIFIC MISSION IN MIND.
IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN JESUS MAKES THE POST-RESURRECTION VISITS TO THE DISCIPLES IN ORDER TO DEFINE THE MINISTRY THEY WILL BE ABOUT AS THEY GO INTO THE WORLD. AND THAT MINISTRY IS DEFINED BY TWO VERY TROUBLING STATEMENTS. FIRST, JESUS SAYS, “IF YOU FORGIVE THE SINS OF ANY, THEY ARE FORGIVEN THEM; IF YOU RETAIN THE SINS OF ANY, THEY ARE RETAINED.” AND SECOND, HE SAYS, “BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE COME TO BELIEVE.”
NOW I DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT THE KIND OF POWER TO FORGIVE OR RETAIN SIN SEEMS LIKE JUST A BIT TOO MUCH RESPONSIBILITY FOR ME.
I DON’T REALLY WANT TO BE BESTOWED WITH THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS IN THAT WAY AND I OFTEN WONDER WHAT THE DISCIPLES MIGHT HAVE BEEN THINKING. WHAT COULD JESUS POSSIBLY BE SAYING? WHAT DOES HE MEAN?
IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND JESUS AT THIS POINT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE AUTHOR OF THE GOSPEL OF JOHN. YOU SEE, JOHN’S GOSPEL DOES NOT SPEAK OF SIN AS A MORAL OR BEHAVIORAL TRANSGRESSION. FOR JOHN SIN IS MORE OF A THEOLOGICAL FAILING. IT’S WHEN WE FAIL TO SEE THE REVELATION OF GOD IN JESUS CHRIST. SO THAT FORGIVING THE SINS OF ANY IS ACTUALLY UNDERSTANDING THAT NOT ALL PEOPLE WILL PERCEIVE GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. AND RETAINING THE SINS OF ANY MEANS NOT TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT THE GOOD NEWS. WHEN WE DON’T SHOW OUR BELIEF WE HELP PEOPLE TO CONTINUE IN SIN BY NOT SHOWING THEM WHAT WE HAVE SEEN AND HEARD. AND THESE ARE THE PEOPLE OF WHOM JESUS SPEAKS WHEN HE SAYS THE SECOND TROUBLING STATEMENT, “BLESSED ARE THOSE WHO HAVE NOT SEEN AND YET HAVE COME TO BELIEVE.”
THIS ISN’T JESUS PLACING A JUDGMENT UPON UNFAITHFUL CHRISTIANS IN A POST MODERN WORLD. RATHER, THIS IS JESUS CALLING ALL WHO HAVE COME TO BELIEVE TO A SPECIAL MINISTRY OF SHOWING THE WORLD WHAT JESUS’ LIFE AND TEACHINGS WERE ALL ABOUT. THIS IS NOT US FINDING FAULT WITH THE BEHAVIOR OF FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS AND CONDEMNING THEM. THIS POST RESURRECTION VISIT FROM JESUS IS ALL ABOUT THE COMMUNITY OF BELIEVERS CONTINUING TO ACT IN THE SAME WAY JESUS HAS ACTED. THIS IS A CALL FOR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST TO CONTINUE TO WORK FOR THE SALVATION OF THE WORLD. IN THE WORDS OF JOHN 3:17, “INDEED, GOD DID NOT SEND THE SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD, BUT IN ORDER THAT THE WORLD MIGHT BE SAVED THROUGH HIM.” AND IN THE POST RESURRECTION VISIT JESUS IS TELLING DISCIPLES OF EVERY AGE THAT THE JOB IS NOW OURS. WE ARE NOT TO CONDEMN THE WORLD, WE ARE TO SAVE IT. WOW!
NOW YOU MIGHT HAVE NOTICED THAT THE TITLE OF MY SERMON IS A LITTLE BACKWARDS. USUALLY WE SAY “SEEING IS BELIEVING” WHICH IS WHAT WE NORMALLY ACCUSE THOMAS OF; NEEDING TO SEE IN ORDER TO BELIEVE.
BUT MY SERMON TITLE FOR TODAY IS “BELIEVING IS SEEING.” THE ACTION HAS SWITCHED PLACES. IN OTHER WORDS, IT IS OUR DEPTH OF BELIEF THAT HELPS US TO SEE THE FULLNESS OF THE TASK WE HAVE BEFORE US AS DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST. WE BELIEVE BEFORE WE SEE, AND IT IS THROUGH OUR BELIEF THAT OTHERS COME TO SEE.
MY FRIENDS, GOD NEEDS TO BE REVEALED THROUGH US IN THE SAME WAY THAT GOD WAS REVEALED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. AND THE ONLY WAY FOR THIS TO HAPPEN IS FOR US TO BELIEVE SO DEEPLY IN THE RESURRECTION THAT PEOPLE WILL SEE THE BELIEF IN US, AND COME TO BELIEVE IN GOD’S GREAT GIFT OF PEACE AND LOVE AND FORGIVENESS BY SEEING IT IN US.
CASE IN POINT BEING THE DISCUSSION WE HOSTED IN OUR PARLOR ON PALM SUNDAY AFTERNOON. THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST IS A MOVIE THAT HAS CAUSED A GREAT DEAL OF CONFLICT TO ERUPT WHEREVER IT IS BEING SHOWN. PEOPLE HAVE VERY STRONG FEELINGS ABOUT IT, BOTH NEGATIVE AND POSITIVE. I HAVE YET TO HEAR ANYONE SAY THEY WERE NOT EMOTIONALLY TOUCHED BY THE PASSION’S CONTENT. AND MOSTLY THE DISCUSSIONS AROUND THIS MOVIE HAVE BEEN HEATED AND EMOTIONAL.
BUT THE PEACE OF CHRIST WAS QUITE PALPABLE AS JEWS AND CATHOLICS AND PROTESTANTS GATHERED TOGETHER IN OUR CHURCH PARLOR TO LISTEN TO ONE ANOTHER AND TRY TO UNDERSTAND A VIEWPOINT DIFFERENT FROM HIS/HER OWN.
THE MOST PERSONALLY STIRRING MOMENT FOR ME WAS WHEN A WOMAN, WITH ROOTS IN BOTH JUDAISM AND CHRISTIANITY, BEGAN TO TELL US THE HISTORY OF PASSION PLAYS IN GERMANY AND AROUND EUROPE DURING THE MIDDLE AGES. SHE REMINDED US THAT THE PASSION PLAY WAS INVENTED AS A WAY TO TELL THE STORY OF THE SUFFERING OF JESUS TO A POPULATION OF BELIEVERS WHO COULD NOT READ. AND SHE ALSO REMINDED US THAT FOLLOWING THE PRESENTATION OF THE PASSION PLAY, ANGRY SPECTATORS WOULD OFTEN RAID THE JEWISH GHETTOS IN ORDER TO EXTRACT PUNISHMENT UPON THE JEWS WHO “KILLED JESUS.” I HAD NEVER HEARD THIS PIECE OF HISTORY BEFORE, AND REALIZED IMMEDIATELY WHY ANY PRESENTATION OF THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST WOULD BE PERCEIVED AS ANTI-SEMITIC. AND I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT THE NEARLY 70 PEOPLE GATHERED IN OUR PARLOR ALL HEARD AND CAME TO UNDERSTAND AS WELL.
IT WAS AS IF JESUS HAD ENTERED THE ROOM AND STOOD BEFORE US WITH HIS WOUNDED HANDS REACHING OUT FOR US TO SEE AND TO TOUCH.
“PEACE IS WITH YOU,” HE SAID. DON’T YOU THINK THE LAST THING JESUS WOULD WANT US TO DO IS ACCUSE THE JEWS OF KILLING HIM?
WAS JESUS EVER ABOUT REVENGE; ABOUT ATTACKING SOMEONE OR SOMETHING JUST TO TAKE CARE OF HIS OWN ANGER? ABSOLUTELY NOT—THAT’S NOT WHAT HE BELIEVED! AND IT’S NOT WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT HIM, EITHER. IT IS BECAUSE OF OUR BELIEF IN THE LOVE AND FORGIVENESS OF CHRIST THAT JESUS COULD BE SEEN AND BELIEVED IN THAT GATHERING ON PALM SUNDAY. PEACE WAS WITH US AND IN US.
NOW THIS IS ONLY ONE EXAMPLE OF THE MANY WAYS IN WHICH OUR BELIEF IN THE RESURRECTED CHRIST WILL CAUSE GOD TO BE SEEN THROUGH US.
I’M SURE WE CAN ALL THINK OF MANY OTHER EXAMPLES. SO I WOULD CHALLENGE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US TO BELIEVE. WE NEED TO BELIEVE OUR WAY INTO SEEING AND FIND THE MULTITUDE OF WAYS IN WHICH GOD CAN BE SEEN BY THE WORLD THROUGH US.
ALLELUIA! AMEN!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24, I Corinthians 15:19-26 & John 20:1-18
THERE WERE THREE BLONDES WHO DIED AND WENT TO HEAVEN.
WHILE THEY WERE STANDING AT THE PEARLY GATES, ST. PETER TELLS THEM THEY MUST ANSWER ONE QUESTION IN ORDER TO COME INTO THE ETERNAL KINGDOM. AND SO HE ASKS THE FIRST IN LINE, “TELL ME WHAT EASTER IS ALL ABOUT.”
WELL, SHE LOOKS SURPRISED – THIS IS GOING TO BE EASIER THAN SHE THOUGHT! AND SO SHE TELLS ST. PETER THAT EASTER IS AN AMERICAN CELEBRATION WHERE FAMILIES GATHER TOGETHER TO GIVE THANKS, EAT A HUGE MEAL OF TURKEY AND STUFFING AND PUMPKIN PIE AND THEN WATCH FOOTBALL FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.
ST. PETER SHAKES HIS HEAD AND WITH A SAD LOOK ON HIS FACE HE SAYS, “NO, THAT’S THANKSGIVING YOU’VE DESCRIBED. PLEASE STEP OVER TO THE SIDE.”
SO THE SECOND BLOND TAKES A STEP FORWARD AND ST. PETER SAYS, “TELL ME ABOUT EASTER.” WELL, SHE ANSWERS QUICKLY – SHE’S ALL PREPARED, “EASTER IS A WONDERFUL FAMILY HOLIDAY CELEBRATED AROUND THE WORLD. IT’S WHEN FAMILIES GET TOGETHER AND EXCHANGE GIFTS THAT HAVE BEEN WRAPPED AND PLACED UNDER A DECORATED TREE. THERE’S ALSO GIFTS FROM SANTA AND A HUGE MEAL OF TURKEY AND STUFFING AND APPLE PIE, AND THEN THEY WATCH FOOTBALL FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.”
AGAIN, ST. PETER SADLY SHAKES HIS HEAD AND SAYS TO HER, “THAT’S CHRISTMAS YOU ARE DESCRIBING.” SO SHE STEPS ASIDE.
WELL, THE THIRD BLOND STEPS FORWARD – CONFIDENT AND EAGER TO ENTER THROUGH THE PEARLY GATES. SO ST. PETER SAYS, “TELL ME, WHAT IS EASTER ALL ABOUT?” TO WHICH THE THIRD BLOND TAKES A DEEP BREATH, PUFFS UP HER CHEST A BIT AND SAYS, “EASTER IS A CHRISTIAN FESTIVAL COINCIDING WITH THE CELEBRATION OF THE PASSOVER, A JEWISH FESTIVAL.”
WELL, ST. PETER IS BESIDE HIMSELF WITH JOY AND GETS A BIG GRIN ON HIS FACE AS HE THINKS, “FINALLY, SOMEONE WHO KNOWS WHAT SHE’S TALKING ABOUT!
THE BLOND CONTINUES, “EASTER IS THE CULMINATION OF HOLY WEEK, WHICH BEGINS WITH THE CELEBRATION OF PALM SUNDAY, WHEN JESUS RIDES ON A DONKEY INTO JERUSALEM AND THE CROWDS CHEER HIM.
BUT THEN HIS IS BETRAYED BY ONE OF HIS DISCIPLES, FOUND GUILTY OF BEING THE KING OF THE JEWS AND HE IS CRUCIFIED ON GOOD FRIDAY AND DIES.
ST. PETER NODS HIS HEAD AND SAYS, “GO ON.” SO THE BLOND SAYS, “WELL, AFTER HE DIED THEY TOOK HIM OFF THE CROSS AND LAID HIM IN A TOMB…”
“YES,” SAYS ST. PETER, LEANING FORWARD FOR THE CLIMAX OF THE STORY.
“GO ON!”
AND THE BLOND FINISHES WITH A FLOURISH, “AND ON THE THIRD DAY THE STONE IS ROLLED AWAY FROM THE OPENING OF THE TOMB AND JESUS IS RAISED FROM THE DEAD! THEN HE WALKS OUT OF THE TOMB, AND IF HE SEES HIS SHADOW IT MEANS THERE ARE SIX MORE WEEKS OF WINTER!”
IT’S GOOD TO LAUGH AFTER THE DARKNESS OF HOLY WEEK, ISN’T IT?
THERE IS EVEN A CUSTOM IN SOME OF THE EASTERN CATHOLIC TRADITIONS TO TELL JOKES ON EASTER SUNDAY IN ORDER TO IMITATE GOD’S LAST LAUGH ON SATAN. SATAN THOUGHT HE HAD WON THE BATTLE WITH THE DEATH OF JESUS, BUT GOD LAUGHS LAST BECAUSE LIFE, RATHER THAN DEATH IS THE FINAL WORD. ALLELUIA! AMEN!
IN SOME WAYS I FEEL AS IF LENT HAS BEEN DARKER AND LONGER THAN NORMAL, WITH ALL OF THE COLD WEATHER AND LENGTHY DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. THE PAIN AND SUFFERING OF OUR HUMAN EXISTENCE HAS ONLY DEEPENED THIS YEAR WITH THE CONSTANT NEWS OF INCREASED VIOLENCE AROUND THE WORLD AND THE DAILY ANNOUNCEMENT OF HOW MANY HAVE DIED IN IRAQ. WILL THE PAIN EVER END?
IN A WORLD WHERE HOPE SOMETIMES SEEMS JUST BARELY OUT OF REACH, IT IS INDEED WONDERFUL TO WAKE UP THIS EASTER MORNING AND GIVE THANKS TO GOD FOR THE GIFT OF HOPE THAT IS ALWAYS ABSOLUTELY WITHIN OUR REACH BECAUSE OF JESUS.
YOU SEE, THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS IS THE ULTIMATE MESSAGE OF HOPE.
WHY? BECAUSE IT REMINDS US THAT DEATH IS NEVER THE FINAL WORD.
PAIN AND SUFFERING CANNOT OVERWHELM US IF WE TRUST IN THE HOPE OF THE RESURRECTION. SO WHAT IS EASTER ALL ABOUT? EASTER IS ABOUT GOD’S FINAL ANSWER OF LIFE AND HOPE. AND NOTHING TELLS THAT STORY MORE VIVIDLY THAN THE STORY OF THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS.
DO WE KNOW THAT STORY? DO WE KNOW IT IN OUR HEART AND SOUL?
AT THE DAWNING OF THE DAY, AFTER THE SABBATH REST, MARY GOES TO THE TOMB WHERE JESUS WAS LAID. WE DON’T KNOW FOR SURE WHY SHE IS GOING, BUT ONE CAN ASSUME SHE GOES TO MOURN THE LOSS OF ONE SHE HAS LOVED DEEPLY. AND WHEN SHE ARRIVES SHE DISCOVERS THAT THE STONE HAS BEEN ROLLED AWAY FROM THE OPENING OF THE TOMB, WHICH IS MORE LIKE A CAVE THAN WHAT WE THINK OF AS A FINAL RESTING PLACE.
BECAUSE THE STONE HAS BEEN ROLLED AWAY, MARY RUNS TO TELL PETER AND THE OTHER DISCIPLES. YOU KNOW, IT WASN’T UNCOMMON FOR TOMBS TO BE ROBBED IN THOSE DAYS. I WONDER IF MARY WAS AFRAID THAT JESUS HAD NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO REST IN PEACE, EVEN IN HIS DEATH.
ANYWAY, AS PETER AND ANOTHER DISCIPLE RAN TO THE GARDEN THEY ENTER THE EMPTY TOMB AND DISCOVER THE LINEN WRAPPINGS JESUS’ BODY HAD BEEN PRESERVED IN, LYING THERE EMPTY. AND PETER SEES THE CLOTH THAT HAD BEEN OVER JESUS’ FACE, BUNCHED UP AND THROWN INTO THE CORNER LIKE THE DIRTY SOCKS OF A KID WHO’S HAPPY TO GO BAREFOOT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE SPRING.
DO WE KNOW THIS STORY? DO WE FEEL THE MEANING OF IT RIGHT DOWN TO OUR TOES? WELL, THE UNNAMED DISCIPLE DOES. HE SEES THE EMPTY TOMB AND THE ABANDONED BINDINGS OF DEATH – AND HE BELIEVES! HE BELIEVES ALL THAT JESUS HAD BEEN TEACHING THEM. JESUS SAID IT WOULD HAPPEN AND IT DID, SO THAT ONE DISCIPLE BELIEVES IMMEDIATELY.
I WISH FAITH CAME THAT EASILY FOR ME, BUT IT DOESN’T. AND MAYBE THE SAME IS TRUE FOR YOU. EVERY EASTER WE STAND BEFORE THE EVIDENCE, ONE MORE TIME, AND WAIT TO BE HIT BY THE LOGIC OF IT. BUT THERE IS NO LOGIC WHEN IT COMES TO FAITH; THERE IS ONLY A GIANT LEAP THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
ACTUALLY, I THINK I HAVE MORE OF A TENDENCY TO BE LIKE PETER. I SEE THE EVIDENCE, BUT HESITATE TO EMBRACE THE SWEET MYSTERY OF IT. I WALK AWAY WITHOUT SAYING MUCH AND WAIT FOR FURTHER PROOF.
IS THAT WHAT YOU DO? IT’S VERY HUMAN OF US, YOU KNOW. IN OUR HUMANITY WE ARE OFTEN SLOW TO TAKE IN THE FULL RICHNESS OF GOD’S LOVE FOR US.
TAKE MARY AS AN EXAMPLE. MARY LINGERS AT THE TOMB, CRYING AND CONFUSED. IN HER MISERY SHE NEARLY MISSES THE MOST PRECIOUS MOMENT OF HER LIFE, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE THE VERY PRESENT MOMENT SHE IS IN. BECAUSE HER MIND IS ELSEWHERE, AND SHE IS WORKING SO HARD TO FIND AN ANSWER, MARY ALMOST LOSES THE CHANCE TO EXPERIENCE THE RESURRECTION, EVEN WHEN IT IS STANDING RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF HER. SHE FINALLY COMES TO HER SENSES WHEN JESUS CALLS HER BY NAME. SHE LETS GO OF HER MISERY AND FINDS TRUE JOY. MARY IS ABLE TO GO TO THE DISCIPLES AND SAY, “I HAVE SEEN THE LORD.”
FRIENDS, DO WE HAVE EARS TO HEAR WHEN JESUS CALLS US OUT OF OUR WEEPING AND SORROW TO IDENTIFY US AS A CHILD OF GOD? DO WE HEAR OUR NAME, OR DO WE MISS THE MOMENT? YOU KNOW, IF WE MISS THE MOMENT WE MISS THE JOY. BUT IF WE HEAR OUR NAME AND KNOW GOD’S LOVE FOR US THEN WE, TOO, CAN SAY “I HAVE SEE THE LORD” IN THE SAME WAY MARY DID SO MANY YEARS AGO.
YOU KNOW, I THINK ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE LEARNED IN THE KERYGMA BIBLE STUDY WAS THAT THE BIBLE IS REALLY A STORYBOOK.
IT’S A STORYBOOK ABOUT HOW GOD RELATES TO US – GOD’S HUMAN CREATION. AND MAYBE THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS STORY IS THAT IT CONTINUES ON, EVEN AFTER THE BOOK IS CLOSED. I GUESS THE BEST GOOD NEWS TO COME FROM THE STORY OF THE RESURRECTION IS THAT GOD WILL NOT STOP RELATING TO HUMANKIND – NO MATTER WHAT. THE HOPE THAT IS GIVEN TO THE WORLD THROUGH THE RESURRECTION OF THE CHRIST IS THE HOPE THAT GOD WILLS LIFE FOR US AND NOT DEATH. THROUGH ALL OF THE WARS, AND THE HATRED AND THE INJUSTICES AND THE MISUNDERSTANDINGS, GOD SPRINGS FORTH WITH NEW LIFE.
ON EASTER GOD LAUGHS AT SATAN, AND IN HONOR OF GOD’S LAUGHTER I HAVE ONE MORE JOKE.
AN IRISH GIRL WENT TO LONDON TO WORK AS A SECRETARY AND BEGAN SENDING HOME MONEY AND GIFTS TO HER PARENTS. AFTER A FEW YEARS THEY ASKED HER TO COME HOME FOR A VISIT, AS HER FATHER WAS GETTING FRAIL AND ELDERLY.
SHE PULLED UP TO THE FAMILY HOME IN A ROLLS ROYCE AND STEPPED OUT WEARING FURS AND DIAMONDS. AS SHE WALKED INTO THE HOUSE HER FATHER SAID, “HMMMMM, THEY SEEM TO BE PAYING SECRETARIES AWFULLY WELL IN LONDON.” THE GIRL TOOK HER FATHER’S HANDS AND SAID, “DAD, I’VE BEEN MEANING TO TELL YOU SOMETHING FOR YEARS, BUT I DIDN’T WANT TO PUT IT IN A LETTER. I CAN’T HIDE IT FROM YOU ANY LONGER. I’VE BECOME A PROSTITUTE.”
HER FATHER GASPED, PUT HIS HAND ON HIS HEART AND KEELED OVER.
THE DOCTOR WAS CALLED, BUT THE OLD MAN HAD CLEARLY LOST THE WILL TO LIVE. HE WAS PUT TO BED AND THE PRIEST WAS CALLED. AS THE PRIEST BEGAN TO ADMINISTER EXTREME UNCTION, WITH THE MOTHER AND DAUGHTER WEEPING AND WAILING, THE OLD MAN MUTTERED WEAKLY, “I’M A GONER, KILLED BY ME OWN DAUGHTER! KILLED BY THE SHAME OF WHAT YOU’VE BECOME.”
“PLEASE FORGIVE ME,” HIS DAUGHTER SOBBED, “I ONLY WANTED TO HAVE NICE THINGS! I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO SEND YOU MONEY AND THE ONLY WAY I COULD DO IT WAS BY BECOMING A PROSTITUTE.”
BRUSHING THE PRIEST ASIDE, THE OLD MAN BOLTED UPRIGHT IN BED, SMILING. "DID YE SAY PROSTITUTE? I THOUGHT YE SAID PROTESTANT!!!!”
REMEMBER, GOD LAUGHS AT SATAN TODAY! AND THE STORY CONTINUES…
ALLELUIA! AMEN!
SCRIPTURE: Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29, Philippians 2:5-11 & Luke 19:28-40
DID YOU NOTICE WHAT IS MISSING FROM LUKE’S GOSPEL STORY OF JESUS’ TRIUMPHAL ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM?
WHAT’S MISSING IS ANY WORD ABOUT PALM BRANCHES OR LEAFY BRANCHES OR EVEN BRANCHES FROM THE FIELDS. THERE IS NOTHING IN LUKE’S STORY THAT EVEN BEGINS TO TIP A HAT AT THE CONTEMPORARY NAME FOR THIS DAY – PALM SUNDAY. ACTUALLY, LUKE’S FOCUS HAS MORE TO DO WITH THE TENSIONS OF THE EVENT THAN THE CELEBRATION OF THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY.
LUKE POINTS OUT AN UNDERCURRENT OF CONFLICT IN THE CROWD BY HAVING JESUS CONVERSE WITH THE PHARISEES. THE PHARISEES SAY TO JESUS, “TEACHER, ORDER YOUR DISCIPLES TO STOP.” AND JESUS REPLIES, “I TELL YOU, IF THESE WERE SILENT, THE STONES WOULD SHOUT OUT.”
IN OTHER WORDS, THE TIME HAS COME; AND THE TIME IS NOW. GOD’S EXTREME MESSAGE OF LOVE AND PRESENCE IS ABOUT TO BE ANNOUNCED TO THE WORLD. SOME WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR THE MESSAGE AND OTHERS WILL NOT. AND THE CONFLICT AND TENSION THAT IS CAUSED BY THE OUTRAGEOUS NATURE OF THE MESSAGE WE RECEIVE THROUGH THE LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS GOES ON THROUGHOUT EVERY GENERATION.
NOW THE MESSAGE ABOUT JESUS HAS BEEN TOLD THROUGH THE GENERATIONS IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS. AT FIRST THE STORY CAME BY WORD OF MOUTH. AND THEN PAUL BEGAN TO WRITE HIS LETTERS SO THAT THE WORD WAS SPREAD IN WRITTEN FORM.
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE PASSAGE FROM PAUL’S LETTER TO THE PHILIPPIANS USES TWO DIFFERENT METHODS OF SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT JESUS.
THE LETTER IS OBVIOUSLY WRITTEN FORM, BUT WITHIN THE LETTER PAUL QUOTES A HYMN IN WHICH HE TELLS THE READER ABOUT HOW JESUS EMPTIED HIMSELF AND BECAME A SLAVE OF OBEDIENCE TO THE POINT OF DIEING ON A CROSS. BUT DEATH IS NOT THE FINAL WORD BECAUSE GOD EXALTED JESUS BY RAISING HIM FROM THE DEAD. AND AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BEND AND EVERY TONGUE CONFESS HIM LORD.
SO THE STORY OF JESUS BEGAN TO SPREAD THROUGH MUSIC AND LITURGY; THROUGH ALL MEANS OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP. AS SOCIETY EVOLVED OUR MEANS OF TELLING THE STORY GREW. WE BEGAN TO USE THE ARTS – PAINTING AND SCULPTURE – TO COMMUNICATE THE GOOD NEWS OF CHRIST.
AT THE MOMENT I AM READING FROM IRVING STONE’S THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY ABOUT MICHELANGELO AS HE CREATED THE FAMOUS PIETA.
I AM CONVINCED HIS WAS A DEEP FAITH AS HE SOUGHT TO EXPRESS THE DEPTH OF LOVE MARY HAD FOR JESUS IN THAT PROFOUNDLY TENDER MARBLE CARVING. HAVING SEEN THE ACTUAL STATUE, I CAN TELL YOU THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS’ SPECIAL GIFT IS ALMOST PALPABLE WITHIN THE CAREFULLY CHISELED FACES OF MARY AND HER SON.
NOW IN TODAY’S WORLD WE USE EVERY GENRE WE CAN THINK OF, FROM OPERA TO BROADWAY TO RAP MUSIC IN ORDER COMMUNICATE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS CHRIST. SO ALONG WITH THE MESSAGE OF THE GOOD NEWS OF THE LIFE AND DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS, OUR CONTEMPORARY MEDIUMS ALSO SPEAK OF THE BASIC CONFLICT OF LUKE’S TRIUMPHAL ENTRY AS JESUS MADE HIS ENTRANCE INTO JERUSALEM. AND JUST AS THE GOOD NEWS CONTINUES, THE TENSION CONTINUES TO THIS VERY DAY.
ON THIS PALM SUNDAY I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE AWARE OF HOW CHRISTIANITY WAS FOUNDED UPON CONFLICT AND TENSION. AND WHEN WE DESPAIR FOR THE CHURCH BECAUSE OF THE UNENDING CONFLICT THAT PLAGUES OUR EXISTENCE WE DO WELL TO REMEMBER LUKE’S PROPHETIC TELLING OF THE PALM SUNDAY STORY. THE DIVISIONS WERE THERE TO BEGIN WITH, AND IT HAS BECOME QUITE OBVIOUS THE DIVISIONS AREN’T GOING TO LEAVE US QUICKLY.
THIS SPRING I HAD A POWERFUL EXPERIENCE OF JUST ONE OF THE TENSIONS WE LIVE WITH IN OUR CHRISTIAN FAITH IN TODAY’S WORLD. I WENT TO SEE THE MOVIE THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST ON ONE SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND THE MOVIE MIRACLE ON THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY AFTERNOON. IT WAS MIND BOGGLING!
JUST IN CASE YOU’VE BEEN SLEEPING THIS PAST MONTH, LIKE RIP VAN WINKLE, I WILL TELL YOU ABOUT THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. THIS IS A MOVIE ABOUT THE LAST 12 HOURS OF JESUS’ LIFE. THE TITLE OF THE MOVIE IS NO ACCIDENT, FOR IT IS INDEED FOCUSED ON THE PASSION – THE PAIN OF CHRIST. IT BEGINS WITH JESUS IN THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE AND ENDS BRIEFLY AFTER JESUS’ DEATH ON THE CROSS. THE MOVIE IS DIFFICULT AND PAINFUL TO WATCH, WHETHER YOU ARE A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST OR NOT. THERE IS NO WAY TO ESCAPE THE CRUELTY OF JESUS’ ADVERSARIES OR THE POWER OF HIS ABILITY TO WITHSTAND THE SUFFERING. AT THE VERY CORE OF THIS MOVIE’S INTENTION IS A MESSAGE OF GRACE. HUMAN BEINGS DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DESERVE THE LOVE THAT POURED FORTH AS JESUS SAID, WITH HIS DIEING BREATH, “FATHER, FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.” THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST IS A MOVIE ABOUT GOD’S GRACIOUS GIFT IN JESUS CHRIST.
NOW THE OTHER MOVIE I SAW, MIRACLE IS A MOVIE ABOUT THE U.S. OLYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM THAT WON THE GOLD MEDAL AWAY FROM THE RUSSIANS DURING THE OLYMPIC GAMES AT LAKE PLACID IN 1980. THERE WAS PASSION AND PAIN IN THIS MOVIE AS WELL. YOUNG MEN FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER TO PLAY ON A TEAM FOR THE USA. THIS SOUNDS LIKE PUTTING A TEAM TOGETHER FROM THE VERY BEST (AND WHAT COULD BE EASIER?) UNTIL YOU REALIZE THEY HAVE ALL LEARNED THEIR HOCKEY SKILLS BY PLAYING ON TEAMS THAT HAVE BEEN COMPETING WITH EACH OTHER FOR YEARS. NOT ONLY DO THEY NEED TO CONDITION THEIR BODIES, BUT THEY ALSO NEED TO LEARN HOW TO PLAY AS A TEAM. THEY NEED BASIC TRAINING IN FORGIVENESS, LOYALTY AND HUMILITY. AND THE MAN FOR THIS INSURMOUNTABLE TASK AS TEACHER AND COACH IS HERB BROOKS, A HOCKEY PLAYER HIMSELF WHO BECAME A COACH.
COACH BROOKS WORKS HIS TEAM TO THE POINT THAT YOU WANT TO SHOUT “STOP IT” MUCH THE SAME AS I WANTED TO DO WHILE WATCHING THE ROMAN HENCHMEN FLOG JESUS. BROOKS WORKS THEM HARD BUT ALSO LEADS THEM TO VICTORY. IT WAS NOT AN EASY WIN BY ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION, BUT IT WAS A WIN NONETHELESS. AT ITS CORE, THE MOVIE MIRACLE IS ABOUT WORKS RIGHTEOUSNESS. THE HOLLYWOOD TAGLINE FOR THIS MOVIE IS “IF YOU BELIEVE IN YOURSELF ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN.”
DURING THE WEEKS FOLLOWING MY VIEWING OF THESE TWO MOVIES I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME THINKING ABOUT THE TENSION BETWEEN WORKS AND GRACE. IN MY HEART OF HEARTS I BELIEVE IT IS A GOOD THING FOR HUMAN BEINGS TO WORK HARD TOWARD ANY GOAL WE SET FOR OURSELVES.
NOTHING DISTURBS ME MORE THAN LETHARGY; THE OLD “I DON’T KNOW AND I DON’T CARE” ATTITUDE.
AT THE SAME TIME, I ALSO BELIEVE IN MY HEART OF HEARTS THAT GOD’S GRACE IS THE GREATEST GIFT THERE IS AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WORK OR WORKS I CAN DO TO GAIN IT. I MAY TRY TO WORK FOR THE GIFT OF GRACE, BUT IT NEVER TURNS OUT THAT WAY. I ONLY FEEL THE GRACE OF GOD WHEN I STOP WORKING AT IT SO HARD.
WORKS AND GRACE; THESE TWO GOOD THINGS ARE A CONSTANT TENSION FOR ME, AND I’M WILLING TO BET THEY ARE FOR YOU AS WELL. IT SEEMS TO BE A HUGE PART OF THE CONTEMPORARY HUMAN CONDITION. AND WHAT DOES ONE DO WITH THIS KIND OF TENSION?
WELL, WE RECOGNIZE IT AND LIVE WITH IT IN AS HEALTHY A WAY AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. I WOULD EVEN GO SO FAR AS TO SAY THAT WE MOVE BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TWO. WE WORK HARD TO ATTAIN A GOAL, BUT THEN WE SIT BACK AND TAKE A LOOK AT HOW MUCH OF THAT GOAL WAS GIVEN BY THE GRACE OF GOD. I THINK THE BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH THE TENSION IS TO BRING WORKS AND GRACE TOGETHER RATHER THAN SPLIT THEM APART. AND IT HAS BEEN MY EXPERIENCE THAT AS TIME GOES BY WE BEGIN TO DO THE WORKS OUT OF A DEEP SENSE OF GRATITUDE FOR THE GRACE THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US ALL ALONG.
I ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST AND MIRACLE WERE AT DIRECT ODDS WITH ONE ANOTHER. I THOUGHT THE CONFLICT WAS TOO MUCH AND COULD NEVER BE RECONCILED. BUT AFTER CAREFUL THOUGHT I CAN SEE HOW THE TWO ARE LINKED TOGETHER. I SEE THE WORKS OF JESUS AND I KNOW THERE WAS GRACE IN THE WINNING MOMENT FOR HERB BROOKS AND HIS HARD WORKING TEAM. TO STAND WITH THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST MEANS IT IS OK FOR US TO SUFFER A BIT AS WE WORK HARD TO REACH AN HONORABLE GOAL. AND AT THE SAME TIME WE NEED TO NEVER FORGET THAT THE VERY FOUNDATION OF OUR WORK AND OUR STRUGGLE AND OUR SUFFERING IS THAT FREE GIFT OF GOD’S LOVE THAT IS GIVEN THROUGH THE LIFE AND DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS THE CHRIST.
IN CLOSING I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU A STORY THAT COMES FROM THE THERAVADA BUDDHIST TRADITION. IT IS TOLD BY A MONK AND HE SAYS, “ONCE AS I TRAVELED THROUGH THE HIMALAYAS, THERE WAS A GREAT FOREST FIRE. EVERYONE WAS FRANTICALLY TRYING TO FIGHT THE FIRE, BUT I NOTICED A GROUP OF MEN STANDING AND LOOKING UP INTO A TREE THAT WAS ABOUT TO GO UP IN FLAMES. WHEN I ASKED THEM WHAT THEY WERE LOOKING AT, THEY POINTED UP AT A NEST FULL OF YOUNG BIRDS. ABOVE IT, THE MOTHER BIRD WAS CIRCLING WILDLY IN THE AIR AND CALLING OUT WARNINGS TO HER YOUNG ONES. THERE WAS NOTHING SHE OR WE COULD DO, AND SOON THE FLAMES STARTED CLIMBING UP THE BRANCHES.
AS THE NEST CAUGHT FIRE, WE WERE ALL AMAZED TO SEE HOW THE MOTHER BIRD REACTED. INSTEAD OF FLYING AWAY FROM THE FLAMES, SHE FLEW DOWN AND SETTLED ON THE NEST, COVERING HER LITTLE ONES WITH HER WINGS. THE NEXT MOMENT, SHE AND HER NESTLINGS WERE BURNED TO ASHES. NONE OF US COULD BELIEVE OUR EYES. I TURNED TO THOSE STANDING BY AND SAID: ‘WE HAVE WITNESSED A TRULY MARVELOUS THING.
GOD CREATED THAT BIRD WITH SUCH LOVE AND DEVOTION, THAT SHE GAVE HER LIFE TRYING TO PROTECT HER YOUNG. IF HER SMALL HEART WAS SO FULL OF LOVE, HOW UNFATHOMABLE MUST BE THE LOVE OF HER CREATOR.
THAT IS THE LOVE THAT BROUGHT HIM DOWN FROM HEAVEN TO BECOME MAN.
THAT IS THE LOVE THAT MADE HIM SUFFER A PAINFUL DEATH FOR OUR SAKE.’” (FOUND ON THE SADHU WEBSITE)
MY FRIENDS, ON THIS DAY WHEN WE REMEMBER THE TRIUMPHAL ENTRY OF JESUS INTO JERUSALEM AND WE PREPARED OUR HEARTS AND MINDS FOR THIS HOLY WEEK, MAY OUR WORKS BE SECURELY GROUNDED IN THE GRACE OF GOD AS WE JOURNEY ON. AND MAY WE HOLD THE TENSIONS OF FAITH CLOSE THROUGH OUR OWN FAITH IN THE LIFE, DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOR.
AMEN.