Resurrection Is Just The Beginning Of The Revolution
(from www.lifeandwork.org)
An Easter reflection by the Rev Roddy Hamilton
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
Mark 16:1-8 (NIV)
What other way is there to react to resurrection
Other than with fear?
What do we do with the news
That everything the world trusts
Might not be true,
That all the principles of science and experience
Are dodgy,
That the wisdom we have lived by all our days
Has turned to foolishness?
Finally, there is nothing final;
Death is not as certain as we once thought.
What do we do with that
Other than respond with fear?
Fear like this
Surely is a mark of faith!
The women had that shifting feeling
That sense of free-falling
That everything he said could be true.
Can it be any other way for the faithful?
Ready-prepared alleluias
Are too easy.
There is little depth in a quick ‘Good morning Jesus’
As if resurrection was a given.
It costs to believe.
Even with resurrection.
Especially with resurrection.
Its not something you easily jump to
Without first wondering
Even fearing
What other bulwarks, fortresses, citadels will crumble in the name of love?
Resurrection is just the beginning of the revolution of the kingdom.
May we, like the women,
Faithfully fear what is yet to come true.
God,
Holy God,
Of all days
May we find the alleluias in this one;
May we be alive to the wonder
Of what else is possible;
May we be ready to trust
Everything might turn upside-down;
May we live in the conviction
This is not all there is;
May we find new words
To fill the gaps in this easter experience;
And may we make space in our expectations
For surprises we once could only dream of.
Praise you, God,
Holy God,
For the daring hope,
Fearless Light,
Courageous Truth,
Resurrected Love,
And living Saviour
Newly alive
Today.
An Easter Prayer from the Moderator of the General Assembly
Holy Week reflections:
Palm Sunday: You Have to Laugh
Monday: Widow's Mite
Tuesday: Mary and Martha
Wednesday: Jesus anointed
Thursday: Pilate's wife's dream
Friday: The Women Watch
Saturday: The Women See the Tomb