Readings for Easter C:
Luke 24:1-10
April 8, 2007
The Rev. Karen Faye Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino, CA
Several years ago, I had my carpets professionally cleaned by a very intense and passionate man. After seeing the many religious books in my bookcase and the icons on the wall, he began to preach to me about the impending end of the world and the second coming of Christ. He was actually looking forward to this time and predicted it would happen in the very near future. Fervent about his faith and disappointed with the way things were in the world, he wanted to make sure that I was ready. After listening to him for a few minutes, I went into another room and waited until he had finished cleaning. When he was done, I gave him a check for his services. I then asked him if he would be disappointed if the world did not come to an end in the near future. His countenance became very sad and he said, “yes.”
There are many folks out there who are discouraged with life as it is and are looking forward to the end of the world and to the second coming of Christ. Some of these people consider themselves faithful Christians. They love reading the “Left Behind Series” where the bad are punished and the faithful are saved. They point to earthquakes, wars, great suffering, and the United Nations as proof that the world is coming to an end. Some have even given up on making this world a better place for future generations since they believe time is short.
When I think about this growing movement of people, who are so looking forward to the second coming of Christ, I often wonder if they have ever heard of the first Easter Story. I wonder if they are aware that Christ is risen and is present among us today in very tangible ways. I wonder if they have ever had a personal encounter with the risen Christ, giving them hope and confidence in the power and presence of God to transform life and make all things new. I believe that if they were to have such an experience, they probably would not be so anxious for a second coming. Instead, they would become passionate witnesses to the first Easter Story and work to spread the good news in Christ.
The Easter Story is a story of good news. It is a story of hope, resurrection, new life, and new possibilities. In this story, death does not have the final word; God does. In fact we are here today, not because Jesus died, but because his spirit continues to live in very tangible ways, in the lives of many people. Sure, there are some folks out there who are discouraged with life as it is and look forward to the end of the world. But there are many others who have hope that the spirit of Christ can and will transform the world.
These are the people who are living witnesses to the resurrection; people who refuse to become cynical in the face of death and darkness. These are witnesses to the resurrection; people who continue to work for justice, peace, and righteousness, not because the world itself is just but because they possess a larger vision of the way things could be. There will always be a discrepancy between such a transformative vision and the real world. But people of the resurrection continue to place their trust in God’s truth and power, rather than in the brute facts of existence.
I often wonder how I would have responded, had I come to anoint the body of Jesus on that Sunday morning. Would I have been perplexed and terrified like the women at the tomb? Perhaps. Being a scientifically-minded person, I think I would have had serious doubts about the empty tomb. I probably would have accused the messengers of stealing the body or trying to play a trick on me. I probably would have been like Peter and Thomas who doubted the women’s account. It probably would have taken a personal encounter of the risen Christ for me to be convinced of the resurrection. And that is what most of us depend on.
When I speak of a personal experience of the risen Christ, I am not speaking of being able to feel his resurrected body. Instead, I speak of experiencing the power and presence of his spirit which pervades the world in which we find ourselves. I experience the risen Lord when I see people tenderly caring for the sick and the dying. I experience the risen Lord when I see people putting their lives on the line to make this world a better place. I experience the risen Lord when I see people doing random acts of kindness simply because it engenders hope.
So today, on this day of resurrection, I am going to ask each one of you to become witnesses to the resurrection. There are a lot of folks out there who are discouraged with the way things are in the world and have lost hope. Without hope, the human heart will break. So here is how you can help: Spread the good news! The media bombards us with bad news every day and tends to underplay the good news. When you see good news (no matter how small), whether it is an outstanding teacher, a generous giver, a kind soul, take note and brag about it to your neighbors. Instead of becoming discouraged over the day to day difficulties of life, count your blessings, give thanks, and be sure to tell your children. Become an agent of hope to the poor, the needy, and the marginalized by offering a part of yourself. Stand up for justice and don’t be afraid to strive for the dignity of every human being. The truth is, the proof of the resurrection is not found in some ancient biblical text. The proof is found in the way you and I live a life of faith, hope, and love.
Alleluia, Christ is risen!
| Updated 04/10/07 |
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