We are praying our way through the Easter season—the Great 50 Days between Easter and Pentecost—by considering Jesus’ post-Resurrection appearances. We looked at Jesus’ love for Thomas; which met Thomas where he was in his hurt and doubt. Last week we considered how Jesus doesn’t show up just when we expect and are ready for him, but is always present, “in our midst,” even if we metaphorically try to lock the doors.
Today, we return to the Easter morning events found in Luke 24:1-12. The women come to the tomb with the spices they had prepared [for the burial rites]. Instead of Jesus in a sealed tomb, they find the stone rolled away and two men in dazzling clothes. In amazement, Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women, tell the disciples Jesus is risen. The men don’t believe them. The only one who responds is Peter who got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. The Resurrection window in the sacristy of the Cathedral of St. John, Albuquerque, NM depicts this event in stunning color.
The women and Peter are amazed by the Resurrection. Of
course they are. Such a thing has never happened before. The women, in Luke’s
account, don’t see Jesus. They encounter two men in dazzling clothes who
remind them that Jesus told them this would happen. Why do you look for the
living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you,
while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to
sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again. Even without a
‘Jesus sighting,’ the women believe.
Unlike Thomas who needs a physical touch and the disciples
who need to see Jesus eating to recognize that he is alive, the women accept
the angels’ announcement. Then they run to tell their friends.
How often do we hesitate to tell about something amazing God
has done in our life? What are some of the ‘resurrections’ in your life? Who
might you tell?
How can we welcome others into the one fold? Are there
invisible walls we have erected by our actions or words that keep some ‘sheep’
out?
Jesus uses the analogy of a shepherd. This would have been
familiar to the audience in First Century Israel. It’s not as easy for us to
relate to. We might think of first responders running toward danger, or a parent
protecting their child, or even a wild animal protecting their young. Psalm 23,
also for this Sunday, says, The Lord is my Shepherd…he restores my soul…even
though I walk through the valley of death, I will not fear. Jesus says, I
lay [my life] down of my own accord to create one flock, one shepherd.
It is our duty and call to continue to work of building that ‘beloved
community.’
When we allow God, our Good Shepherd to be the path, we can
feel secure even in the time we find it hard to recognize that Jesus is
present. Present in the empty tomb and lost hopes, present in sorrow and in
joy, present when we feel distant. God’s love and shepherding will always be
with and for us.
Who might you remind of that good news?
