Beatitude

Seeing Differently

 When we take a look at the whole chapter of John 20 it challenges us to see the world in a different light. It is easy enough to be confused, to be sorrowful, or afraid, or simply disbelieving in this world. That’s where we live. I live there too. Sometimes I find myself going down a path of fear and worry much like the disciples who, on Sunday evening, locked themselves inside for fear.

What changed the disciples’ minds on that first Easter and on the following week in Thomas’ case was the presence of the risen Lord. To a person they struggled to believe what seemed impossible. They had witnessed the horrific event of the death of their rabbi. To come to terms with the reality that he was no longer dead but talking to them required seeing life differently.

It requires the same of us. Now the world, the universe, life, death, all things are open to God’s new life. When the risen Christ appears amidst my fear and worry I must choose. Do I believe in the path of fear or the path of life? How will I function if my worst fears end not as I suppose, but instead in life and love and forgiveness? The greatest challenge for us is not so much dealing with betrayal, jealousy, death and darkness as it is in seeing life in terms of resurrection.

Fortunately Jesus has given us the Holy Spirit. Christ has breathed upon us and enabled us to receive life. And looking through the lens of resurrection, whoa… it’s a whole new world out there!

Whom Are You Looking For?

Mary Magdalene came to the tomb looking not for Jesus, but simply for a place to grieve in John 20:1-18. She told others about the empty tomb with the assumption that Jesus’ body was stolen, not that he had risen. She is still convinced that Jesus’ dead body has been placed somewhere else, as she weeps outside the tomb. Then the resurrected Jesus speaks to her and she can’t see him as Jesus. Even though she looks right at him, she thinks he’s the gardener. Jesus asks her the question: “Whom are you looking for?” Evidence has it that she wasn’t actually looking for the living Jesus. That would have been too much to ask of someone who had just been crucified.

This is true for most of us. Daily you and I look resurrection in the face and don’t see it. My faith is too reasonable. I expect the life and death cycle to be reliable and predictable. The normalcy of life and death, anger and hatred, wars and crime, disbelief and defeat are commonplace and reinforce our expectations. They also blind us to the very abnormal and out-of-the-ordinary divine act of resurrection.

Mary recognized Jesus when he called her name. This text was not written to remind Mary of the event, but to show us of its truth today. Jesus calls our name just as Jesus called Mary’s. The opportunity is open for us to accept resurrection life; to open our hearts to Christ’s life. This challenges us to live not according to death, and all its relatives like hatred, wars, and crime; but instead to live according to life, love, peacemaking, justice, faith and hope. I submit that it’s not a one-time deal. We need frequently to turn to the risen Christ. I’m praying that I can keep turning toward the one who calls my name. How about you?