Readings
for Easter Day: Colossians 3:1-4; Mark 16:1-8
April 16, 2006
The Rev. Karen Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino,
CA
And the young man said to the three women: “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised. He is not here.” [Mark 16]
It has been a long week. We have followed the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry beginning on Palm Sunday with his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the last supper on Maundy Thursday, and his trial-arrest-and crucifixion on Good Friday. Today we hear the climax of the greatest story ever told: “He has been raised.” All of the forces of evil, deceit, and death that hurled themselves against the cross to destroy Jesus were unable to permanently snuff out his presence, his spirit, and his legacy. Easter has the last word: “He has been raised!”
The story of the empty tomb is described in all four of the gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This year, we read the account according to Mark. Mark’s Easter gospel is problematic for some people. There are no heroes, no experiences of the risen Christ, no apostles in attendance; just three grieving women who are looking for Jesus and find the tomb empty. After they have been told that Jesus has been raised, they do not calm down, they do not comprehend what has happened, they do not stay and rejoice. Instead, “they went out and fled the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” [Mark 16]
The early Christian Church did not like this ending of Mark’s gospel, so it was amended later on to include a few post-resurrection appearances of Jesus (in different forms) to his disciples. Personally, I like the shorter version. It shows that doubt, fear, amazement, and silence, are all part and parcel of the human struggle to fully embrace the mystery of the resurrection and its implications: 1) That with God, all things are possible; 2) that in spite of the forces of darkness and great suffering in the world today, a new life, a new world order is possible.
The truth is, the proof of the resurrection is not found in an ancient text. The proof of the resurrection is found in the way you and I live our lives. We can claim the resurrection by living a life convicted of peace, justice, mercy, forgiveness, compassion, inclusivity, hope and grace. Or we can deny it by making physical survival our highest goal and death our greatest evil. Fear of death is what compromises our faith and ethics in the face of aggression, oppression, and personal & economic loss. Fear of death is what keeps this world in darkness and the forces of evil, powerful.
Why are most people more apt to believe in the events surrounding Jesus’ torture, crucifixion, and death than they are to believe in his resurrection and ongoing spirit? Why are most people more apt to embrace the power of violence as the ultimate means of maintaining order and security than they are to embrace the power of compassion and diplomacy? Why? Because violence is the ethos of our times; the spirituality of the modern world! Violence is so successful as a myth because it appears to be the nature of things. It is what seems to work and is often the first resort in conflicts. We think that if we can just snuff out what is threatening, offensive, and chaotic, then we will live in peace and harmony. The only problem with this myth is that it hasn’t worked so far. As far as I can tell, wars are everywhere, prisons are overflowing, and true safety remains an illusion.
From the earliest age onward, our children are bombarded (through videos and TV) with depictions of violence as the ultimate solution to human conflict. Remember the cartoon show, Popeye and Bluto? Bluto is the bad guy who abducts Popeye’s girlfriend, a screaming and kicking Olive Oyl. Popeye (the good guy) attempts to rescue her. Once infused with a dose of spinach, he beats Bluto to a pulp and brings Olive Oyl to safety. In this cartoon show, violence is always met with violence. The format never varies. Bluto always returns with the same behavior and Popeye continues to beat him up. Neither character ever gains any insights nor learns from these encounters. Violence does not teach Bluto to honor Olive Oyl’s humanity and the repeated beatings do not make Bluto go away.*
The Christian story of the crucifixion and resurrection is a different story however. It is the story of Jesus who refuses to respond to violence with violence. It is the story of a man of God, who was willing to speak the truth and unmask the delusional system of domination even at the cost of his own life. It is the story of the triumph of love over evil because the sword could not permanently destroy this man of love.
We are here today because Jesus lives and his story continues. Whenever we feed the hungry or nurture the sick, Jesus lives. Whenever we stand up for justice and speak the truth in love, Jesus lives. Whenever we spread the good news in Christ and offer a word of hope, Jesus lives. Whenever we risk our own life for the sake of the gospel, Jesus lives. A life lived in the risen Christ is proof of the resurrection. So, “if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.” Do not be afraid! The same spirit of God that raised Jesus from the dead is the same spirit of God that lives within you and me.
Alleluia, Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed, alleluia.
* For more information on non-violent resistance, see Walter Wink’s book: Engaging the Powers, 1992, Augsburg.
| Updated 4/14/06 |
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