In today’s gospel account, Mary of Magdala is outside of the tomb – distraught and sad. Two angels appear to her (although she doesn’t recognize them as such) and ask, “Why are you weeping?” She explains that she cannot find the body of her friend, Jesus. Almost on cue, Jesus then appears and asks the same question, “Why are you weeping?” She apparently thought he was a gardener and explained the whole story of what’s happened. Jesus then calls her by name and she is awakened – filled with joy and excitement.
As I write this final blog post for the Easter season, I sit at my dining table. On the table is our easter lily and its fragrance fills the space where I am. When I get too far away from it, I lose the scent. So for now I will stay near. There’s a HUGE metaphor in there I know!
As we bring this Lenten blog to a close, I offer a few final reflections based on today’s gospel.
First, we, like Mary, go in search of God/Jesus. Sometimes we go to places where we encountered God most recently or in ways that traditionally worked for us. And sometimes, God is not there. We must look elsewhere. In the spiritual life, we must ever be prepared for “empty tomb” moments that invite us to grow and develop.
Second, both the angels and Jesus are initially not recognized by Mary. This is likely true for us as well. My guess is that angels and the Christ pass through our lives often. And we remain unaware of their presence.
Third, Jesus will, ultimately, call us all by name, and our hearts will rejoice. We will come to know Jesus as teacher and friend – no matter what we are going through. And in light of the resurrection he will ask us the same question he asks Mary, “Why do you weep? I am here with you.”
A part of being Easter people is letting our lives reflect joy and gratitude. In his spirit, I just want to say a deep and heartfelt, “Thank you!” to all of you who have been along on this journey with me through the blog. It really was a spiritual community that sustained and strengthened me during these last 40 days, and I will honestly miss you all. It honestly touches me emotionally as I prepare to sign off from daily posting because I really feel a connection with all of you that is no easily put into words.
I am so grateful for those who offered comments, and I wish I had time to respond to so much of what you wrote because it was profound and beautiful and inspiring. And even if you did not have time or energy to comment, please know your companionship was felt!
I want to say thanks to everyone for the feedback, affirmations, suggestions and corrections/clarifications. I am aware that I am just one person offering thoughts and reflections. Hopefully some of those resonated with you. But know that so many people could have written such beautiful and rich reflections. To this end, I am deeply grateful to all of our guest bloggers who offered time and deep wisdom: Theresa and Mira Tensuan-Eli, Peter Veitch, OSB, Mary Heveron-Smith, LouAnne DaRin, Rev. Celie, Charity Lofthouse Cricco, Paul Kane, and Courtney Davis. It meant so much to me that you were willing to share your spirituality and perspective in the ways that you did.
Finally, I am grateful to the Spiritus staff, pastoral team, outreach directors, lay leaders, musicians, singers, sacristans, visioning board, committee members, volunteers and parishioners who make up the Spiritus community. This community is something special, and I am humbled and grateful to be with you all on this journey.
Moving forward, it is our hope to offer more regular blog and Facebook posts. I will likely be trying to write a post every Monday for the rest of the year and an occasional FB post as well. So please stay with us throughout the year. And, as always, if you have ideas, feedback, suggestions or critique, please send it my/our way. You can find my email on the Spiritus site, and I always appreciate hearing from folks.
Blessings in this Easter season.
Blessings in this year.
18 Comments
Karen
Your blogs through Lent have been a welcome addition to my morning prayer and reflection time. I am happy to see that you are committed to continuing with a Monday post. I’ve stopped using Facebook as I find it a time sucker and hope to see your Monday blogs in my inbox.
You truly make a difference. Thank you and bless you.
Rosemarie
I also want to thank you for your commitment this Lent to sharing your spiritual journey. I also am not onFB but will look forward to your words whenever they appear in my inbox!
Blessings!
Shirley king
I have begun each day with your blog which centered and focused me. Thank you for your writings. They have given me a way to feel closer to God.
Peter Veitch
Thank you so much for your heartfelt and deeply informed daily reflections. Reading your posts this year was an important part of my Lenten journey. It was an honor to be asked to participate, it is always an honor to serve our community in any way possible.
Easter blessings!
Peter
Barbara Simmons
Different people come into our lives and challenge us to look deeper into ourselves by reflecting on spiritual topics and examining issues of our faith. Few can do this as well as you do, Mike. Thank you for taking us on this Lenten journey with you. I also appreciate all the guest contributors to this blog. A happy and blessed Spring to everyone.
Sue
Thank you from the bottom of my 💜 I have thoroughly enjoyed these reflections…you enabled me to go much deeper within myself. I so appreciate all of your efforts and wisdom all year long!
Carol Lee
You have ,as in previous years helped me in my spiritual journey. Thank you. I was saddened to read that this is your last post,but happy again for the promise of Monday thoughts. Thank you again Mike.
Marilyn Waingarten
I have found your posts to be incredibly profound and helpful in using Biblical passages and stories to inspire personal transformations. You have a great gift for this, and have helped me enormously to reconnect more deeply with my Christian roots. I have printed many of your blogs for repeated readings, and have included your writings into my morning spiritual reading, prayer and meditation practices. Thank you so much for writing from such a deep and honest place.
Claire Benesch
Thank You so much, Mike, for sharing your profound and often unique reflections and for inviting others to do the same. I have found all the writings pure inspiration. You are gifted in many ways and I am gifted by your sharing your gifts!!! Peace!
Mary Flannery Climes
Thank you, Mike. I loved journeying through Lent with you and your guests. You are a blessing. Happy Easter!! I will look forward to your Monday blog posts!
Mary Bigelow
Thank you for taking all this time to share such wonderful thoughts. Your writing makes it all come alive for us.Looking forward to more. You have a gift to share
Francene C McCarthy
Once again, thank you! The angels are all around us as we carry Jesus with us on our journey (or He carries us!). God bless you always!
With much love and admiration, Fran
ANNETTTE MACKIN
Thank you, Mike. Your daily thoughts have added a beautiful and much appreciated dimension to the Lenten season. I look forward to your next posts.
Barbara Lantiegne
Thank you Michael. It’s been wonderful to read your posts each day; so many of them touched my heart in profound ways.
Anna Maria Harrison
It has been such a blessing to read and pray over each and every Lenten sharing by you and friends. Our in-person sharing of this Easter’s Tridium celebration with your (our) Spiritus family in Rochester was so wonderful my husband, Bill, and I are still glowing. We have never been a part of such a loving, joyful and wonderfully noisy/almost raucous family. We were hugged by everybody and we hugged everybody back with total abandonment. Wish we lived so much closer. Bill and I strongly recommend a “pilgrimage” to the mother church for every member of our global community. Thank you, Mike, for helping to prepare us these past 40 days. With love, Anna.
Marie Maloney
Thank you so much for your beautiful words of inspiration and wisdom! I so appreciate your blog and looked forward to it every day during Lent as part of my daily reflection. Thank you to all the guest bloggers as well! You all have wonderful writing gifts! Namaste!
Mary Denn
Mike,
Once again, you helped greatly to make my Lenten season more positive and reflective. Thank you so much! Your take on things is very down-to-earth and relatable. I can easily understand your language and references . I’m sure glad you’re still doing what you do best for the Rochester community and we on-liners!
Sharon H
Thank you for the tremendous and prolific past 40 days. This blog including comments has indeed enriched my spiritual journey.
Peace and Blessing be with You all.
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