27 March 2016 - risen indeed

[ Today's Readings ]

For they did not yet understand the Scripture 
that he had to rise from the dead.

But you first tell them Jesus. You tell them, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised" (see Luke 9:22)

But they don't get it. They may know all the relevant Scripture that predicts it. But they don't understand it. They don't even understand when you clearly describe it. Or maybe they do, intellectually. But maybe the reality of the resurrection cannot be understood in this way.

Maybe we already know the tomb is empty. But perhaps we don't really know what that means.

They have taken the Lord from the tomb, 
and we don’t know where they put him.

Maybe we are still full of old paradigms. Maybe our minds are still too set on what is on earth. Maybe our dough is leavened with yeast of malice and wickedness. We see these things constantly. Death is real. Sickness is real. Suffering and sorrow are real. How can we live with anything but the most consuming self-interest?

We see the empty tomb. But does it transform us? Do we experience it? Only if we do can our minds be freed to seek what is above. But we can't talk or think or study our way into this experience. It is given. It is a gift received in prayer. But we can ask with great confidence knowing that you want to reveal yourself to us, Jesus. You choose us to be your witnesses, witnesses to your resurrection, so that everyone can receive forgiveness of sins through your name.

Your right hand has struck with power. You have made a new day for the world. When it really hits us at our core it is far too wonderful in our eyes to keep to ourselves.

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad.