We
are embarking on a journey in an ‘Easter’ way of life. Easter morning marks a
new year, a new beginning. Just like January 1 marks the start of the secular
calendar and Advent 1 marks the beginning of the Church Year. The empty tomb,
as it says in Acts, ‘turned the world upside down’. And it changes our life if
we let it.
In
order to start off a new year, we might need to rest up from the busy-ness of
the weeks leading up to that new year. Before January 1, there is all the
Christmas rush and excitement, leaving some of us exhausted by the time New
Year’s Day rolls around. Similarly, the bustle of getting ready for Easter, all
the lovely, meaningful services of Holy Week, and the day itself can leave us
feeling a bit tired and let down in the days called the Great 50 Days of Easter
(the time in the church year between Easter and Pentecost). There can be a
feeling of let-down.
We
want to be joyful and celebrate, but we can find ourselves running on empty.
Our soul’s batteries need to recharge and our gas tanks need refilled. How can
we do that? One way is to let the great Story of Easter itself sink into our
heart and imagination. Which is your favorite Easter appearance? Is it Mary
Magdalene at the tomb? Is it on the Road to Emmaus? Do you connect with Thomas
as he asks for a sign?
Take
this favorite episode and really explore it. Give yourself the gift of plenty
of time. Read it in more than one translation. Read it aloud. Search for art
that represents the scene.
Imagine
yourself in the scene. If you want to consider the appearance to Thomas…Are you
Thomas, are you the others in the room, or maybe you are a time traveling
observer? What thoughts and feelings do you have as you participate in the
scene and hear Jesus say ‘put your hand here, and be not faithless but
believe’?
Sit
quietly with the story, and read it again. Let the truth of the Risen Christ
permeate your soul. Offer a prayer that pulls together all your experiences.
Let
God be present in the Bible story, let God be present in your story. After sitting with your favorite Easter appearance
story, consider how Jesus has appeared to you recently, or in the past year, or
in the dim and distant past. Was it the smile of a friend, an unexpected
affirmation, the answer to a prayer…?? Recollect that time in your life. How
did it feel to have Jesus present actively in your life? Do you take time to
recognize God every day and invite Jesus to ‘come in’, as the disciples did on
the Road to Emmaus? They were amazed when they recognized Jesus. You and I
might also be amazed at how often and how close Jesus is in our lives.
Jesus
wants to be present and refresh our hearts every day. This Eastertide is the
perfect time to intentionally allow God to be present. Seeing Jesus in the
day-to-day will refuel our engines and recharge our batteries.
Next time we'll look at another way to be refreshed during this Eastertide.
