Easter Sunday

Our readings for Easter Sunday are:

1. Acts 10: 34a, 37-43
2. Psalms 118: 1-2, 16-17, 22-23
3. Colossians 3: 1-4
4. John 20: 1-9

• The role of witnesses
• The post resurrection accounts are not very exact about the time, or even date of Jesus' appearances, so we cannot tell for sure from the Gospel accounts whether He made it a habit to be in more than one place at once.  But all in all, He appeared to a relatively select bunch of His followers, relying on them to spread the Word.
• What advantage does God get from involving us in spreading the Good News?
• If someone were to ask you "given all of the struggles that the Church has gone through over the centuries, the scandals, the corruption, the indifference to suffering at various times and places, why are you still Christian?" what would you say?
• How has the answer to that question changed for you through the years?
• What do you hope the answer to that question will be at the moment that you die?

• Sense of purpose/What's the sense of it all?
• COVID-19 is fast shaping up to be the defining mark of this generation.  As we wake to a new day, don our face masks before exiting the safety of our homes, it's tempting to ask where God is in all of this.
• What inner strength has recent events called for from you that you didn't know that you had?
• When this is "all over", whatever "this" might be for you, what will be different in your life?
• How have recent events been like a Lent for you?  Maybe called for some examination of your conscience, maybe some more time for prayer, maybe just a fresh realization of how dependent all of us are on God?

• We remember
• One frightening prospect of growing older is "losing it".  That process may start with your car keys, and end with you not remembering your own children.  This gradual loss of memory, and hence our very selves seems so desperately mean spirited of God.
• What are some memories that you most cherish, that you would like to hang on to no matter what?
• Are those memories necessarily happy ones, maybe challenges that you had to face and overcome, points in your life when you found courage in unexpected places?
• Where was God in those times?
• Do you think that God remembers those episodes in your life?
• What do you think that God will do with those memories in the Resurrection?

• Negative apparition
• If you think about it, it's interesting that we concentrate today on a non appearance of Jesus.  Maybe if the Resurrection happened today, Jesus would wear blue suede shoes, grab a microphone as He made His exit, and say "thank you, thank you very much" followed by a disembodied voice announcing "ladies and gentlemen, Jesus has left the tomb."
• When have you looked for Jesus in an event, a new job, some person, and Jesus failed to appear for you?
• Why do you think that you didn't find Him there?
• What did you learn from that?
• Where was He?

• Preparation for Reconciliation

1. What of my life with Jesus needs to be shared?  To whom?
2. Who needs my presence?
3. Where is God revealing Himself to me today?
4. Where is God in my memories?
5. Where am I looking for Jesus in the wrong places?

Memory Lane

The old monk sat in his dimly lit cell, eyes focused on some distant shore beyond the walls.
They told me that I would find him here, and that he would not mind me interrupting him.

So I knocked tentatively.  Seeing no reaction, I knocked again, not wanting to disturb him.
Finally, I cleared my throat, hoping to get his attention as gently as possible.

He looked up, smiled, and asked "I appreciate your deference.
Just what did you think you were interrupting?"

I was afraid that you were meditating, communing with God, maybe praying for all of us.
"And so I was, and so I am.  It's just that the meditating, communing, and praying is different now."

Different, how?  How can you commune with God and talk with me at the same time?
"The spirit of God dwells within all of us and each of us.

Done properly, in the right spirit, talking with you is a form of prayer.
Listening to what you have to say is communal.

You bring needs, wants, fears, all of these will make their way into my prayers."
Why did you not respond right away when I arrived?  Were you that deep in prayer?

"Actually no, I wanted to see whether you were that deep in your own agenda,
Or if you would take the better portion, find a seat here with me, and join me.

The world can never have too many mystics you know."
How do I begin?

"Learn to find God in your memories, your life up until now.  Think back, and ask yourself
Where God was most powerfully, and when He seemed most absent.

Thank Him for both, and ask Him to show you where/when you missed His gentle touch,
And ask Him to heal you of that wound, and seek to find where He's leading you now."

How far back do I need to go?
"Start with today, and see where those memories take you.  I cannot tell where that is."

Sounds ambitious.
"Think of this mystic journey like a piece of furniture from IKEA.

God supplies all the pieces and tools you need.
Some assembly required.  And it's in the assembly that you find fulfillment."

Shalom!