April 3
Readings – ACTS 10:34A, 37-43; COL 3:1-4; JN 20:1-9
It’s hard to believe we have reached the end of our Lenten journey together. I want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU to all of you who have been faithfully (or unfaithfully) reading this blog, commenting and offering your own insights. I have really appreciated the dialogue that this has created, and I was touched that so many of you offered your own lives, joys and challenges to me and others through your comments.
There are so many days where I thought, “I’d love to hear what other people are thinking…,” because you only get my thoughts and reflections – based on my limited life and perspective. I am so grateful to have had some guest bloggers: Rev. Mary, Rev. Celie, Alvin Simpson, Lauren Urzetta Frye, and the Junior/Senior High Youth Groups. I want to thank each and all of them for helping out and offering their perspective this Lent. It truly made the time richer.
I also hope that those of you who have followed this blog continue to engage scripture and reflect on it with respect to your life and experience. I wish I could say that I read scripture daily, but I don’t. This blog gives me a great reason to dig deeper and reflect more profoundly in ways that I strive to do more often. I also know that some of the scriptures are hard to interpret and understand which can be yet another deterrent. But our scriptural tradition is rich and instructive and offers us deep stories and lived experiences that change what they reveal every time we bring ourselves to them.
Ok, now that we have gotten through the introductory remarks…
We have arrived at Easter – the highlight of the liturgical calendar. In fact, in the early church, there was not even a Christmas celebration. Easter was THE holiday because of its significance.
Anyone who is honest would admit that we don’t really know what happened on Easter Sunday or be able to explain how it happened. We just know that Jesus was not in the tomb and then was experienced by his disciples in a new way at a later time. Disciples walked along the road with him but did not recognize him. Others noted his changed yet familiar appearance. They broke bread and ate fish with him, but also knew that something was different.
The gospel is clear that it was the women who were the first witnesses. They were the ones who took great personal risks and demonstrated such courage after Jesus’ death. Mary of Magdala is mentioned by name in today’s reading, and all the historical evidence I have seen suggests that she was an early church leader in addition to being a primary witness. Part of the Easter story is the recovery of the tradition of women’s leadership in, contributions to and witness in the church. Women have been pillars in the faith since the beginning, and our sexist and patriarchal structures have done much to hide and undermine this history. But it cannot be hidden anymore than we can stop the Spring from arriving.
Speaking of Spring, whenever I think of resurrection I think about nature. For me, the natural world is a primary revelation of resurrection – especially at this time of year. What seems dead and gone comes back somehow. What seems impossible has the possibility to emerge. What has died lives again. Life springs forth somehow, and death does not have the final word.
This seems to be the crux of resurrection – the knowledge that death (in whatever form) does not have the final word. Even in the face of impossible odds, there is always a “wild card” that God holds.
One of my favorite spiritual teachers is Barbara Brown Taylor and she says of resurrection, “none of us should feel too badly about finding it hard to believe. Resurrection is not something we can test, like gravity or true north,” and it is something that (at least for humans) is WAY outside of our ordinary experience.
What we do know, however, is that if God can do that, then anything becomes possible. Let’s be clear, God does not protect us or our loved ones from suffering or even death. But God does say that whatever we experience – no matter how bad or painful – is not the end.
For us to be Easter people means we must be people of hope and people of conviction. It means we are to be people who practice resurrection in concrete acts that embody what we believe. Again Taylor says it so well when she says, “With all the conceptual truths in the universe at his disposal, [Jesus] did not give [the disciples] things to think about when he was gone. Instead, he gave them concrete things to do, specific ways of being in their bodies together, that would go on teaching them what they needed to know when he was no longer around to teach them.” If we are to be recognized as the Easter people in the company of Jesus, then it is on us to embody these same acts – individually and collectively.
Most years, I end my Easter reflection with a poem that I absolutely love from Wendell Berry. His words encompass so much of what I think Jesus would tell us after his resurrection.
So, friends, every day do something
that won’t compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
Take all that you have and be poor.
Love someone who does not deserve it.
Denounce the government and embrace
the flag. Hope to live in that free
republic for which it stands.
Give your approval to all you cannot
understand. Praise ignorance, for what man
has not encountered he has not destroyed.
Ask the questions that have no answers.
Invest in the millennium. Plant sequoias.
Say that your main crop is the forest
that you did not plant,
that you will not live to harvest.
Say that the leaves are harvested
when they have rotted into the mold.
Call that profit. Prophesy such returns.
Put your faith in the two inches of humus
that will build under the trees
every thousand years.
Listen to carrion – put your ear
close, and hear the faint chattering
of the songs that are to come.
Expect the end of the world. Laugh.
Laughter is immeasurable. Be joyful
though you have considered all the facts.
So long as women do not go cheap
for power, please women more than men.
Ask yourself: Will this satisfy
a woman satisfied to bear a child?
Will this disturb the sleep
of a woman near to giving birth?
Go with your love to the fields.
Lie down in the shade. Rest your head
in her lap. Swear allegiance
to what is nighest your thoughts.
As soon as the generals and the politicos
can predict the motions of your mind,
lose it. Leave it as a sign
to mark the false trail, the way
you didn’t go. Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection. (Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front)
May we all keep practicing resurrection all year long!
(If you’d want to offer and thoughts, ideas or feedback on the blog (other than what you might have already offered), please write to me at wordandworldroch@gmail.com)
21 Comments
Anne Buonocore schrader
I really appreciate your ideas every morning. They brought relevance and life to the readings.
Meant so much Happy Easter!
Mike Boucher Author
thanks, Anne. So glad you were along with us on the journey.
Karen Keenan
WOW – that about sums it up for me! This is the perfect start to Easter morning for me to read this post. I feel you have captured the spirit of resurrection here – “God holds the wild card”! That phrase will stay with me in my little tool kit of hope. And I love the reminder that Jesus gave us things to do, and by those actions we will come to know him and that he is with us. I admit that I have been an “unfaithful” reader of your blog, but when I remember I turn to it eagerly and am always deepened by what you have written. Thank you for the incredible gift you and others have shared – beautiful gentle humble guidance inviting us along on this inward journey. Yes, may we all keep practicing Resurrection! Happy Easter, Mike!
Mike Boucher Author
thanks so much, Karen! I love unfaithful readers – knowing full well that if weren’t writing the blog I’d be in the same category. So glad to have journeyed with everyone along the way.
Carol Lee
Mike,I will no longer dread Lent ..might even welcome it thanks to you. Would you compile your thoughts in a small booklet of meditations “for lent and beyond”? Those who
have missed these daily writings would be able to share in them.
Thank you again for being a strong force in my growth and desire for Him. Carol Lee
Patrick Dwyer
My 5 favorite words of Easter is ‘ the stone has been rolled away’. It bears so much significance for me. The past is irrelevant; a new slate, new life, humble beginnings. I feel incredibly free. Free to open and give myself to God and the world He desires. Everything comes up roses! Letting go and letting God into my heart and soul in a deeper way. Easter makes me feel light and unburdened so I can pack light and to carry little. Just to trust Jesus to carry the load and all is well. Jesus defeats death, affliction, judgements, covid( in time) and it is the season for Joy and to know that We are His annointed ones and are truly blessed to be part of God’s making and His creation. Let the Trumpets blare!!!
Happy Easter to All.
Patrick
Mike Boucher Author
Patrick, what great words to focus on – the stone has been rolled away. You said so much in your words – freedom, letting go and letting God, trust Jesus to carry the load, etc. Wow! Easter is a true time to celebrate.
Mike Boucher Author
Awww, Carol, that means so much – especially the part of where we need not dread Lent (I know I did for so long…) I will certainly consider compiling these, but one could easily “cut and paste” all of the days into a document….I am always humbled to be able to offer these for our community, knowing that there are so many deeply spiritual people like you who could easily have offered such amazing food for reflection.
Sarah Brownell
Thank you Mike for bringing us through all the challenging readings of Lent. I’m grateful to have a little time to reflect each morning. Your experiences, reading, knowledge and the wonderful way you articulate what you’ve learned are very helpuf.
Mike Boucher Author
Sarah, I will miss our daily conversations! Maybe next year we can get you to guest blog a bit!
Sarah Brownell
*helpful 🙂
Barbara Simmons
You and all the guest authors of this blog helped so many by sharing your insights and reflections. We the readers also learned from each others’ responses. Together this assisted us in navigating the Lenten season in a more informed and spiritual way. Blessings to all!
Mike Boucher Author
It really was a learning community on this blog, and I thank you for being such a great teacher in our online classroom!
Mary Ann Case
Thank you so much for your thoughts Mike. I made an effort to read your texts daily and always felt challenged and inspired. I would love to have a booklet of your thoughtful devotions. Happy Easter!
Mike Boucher Author
thanks, Mary Ann, for being along with us! I’ll see about the booklet idea…
Claire Benesch
Thank you, thank you! I love the poem and will need to read it many more times to reflect. You have become a daily friend and I shall truly miss “meeting with you” each day! Blessed Easter!
Mike Boucher Author
I, too, will miss you, Claire! Thanks for being such an active part of the blog and our Tuesday nights. You added so much to both!
Claire Benesch
I think the booklet idea is great! So more people can be gifted with your words.
Francene C McCarthy
Thank you so much for these daily words of wisdom and inspiration. I learned yet again when reading the comments. Easter has always been my favorite time in the church and you all have made my Lenten journey deeper and intensely spiritual. Adding this blog to my daily devotional time has brought me even closer to God and to His spirit in your words. Thank you, Mike, and all! Blessed Easter to you!
Mike Boucher Author
thanks, Fran. It’s been wonderful to walk with you and so many on the journey!
Ricky French
You put so much of your heart into these blogs. I love that about you. I really like this last poem. Will take it with me. Off to the desert for a month.
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