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Rector's
Messages
Easter
2007
"For
this son of mine was dead and is alive again…" (Luke 15:24)
Part
of the fun of "Antiques Road Show" is watching a person discover
they have come into the possession of something of great value in an
unexpected way. It's not just "hidden treasure" that turns up in
unexpected places. Imagine finding a letter or post card from an old
friend buried under all that clutter you are cleaning out of your basement
or attic. Who wouldn't stop what they are doing, sit down on the floor,
read the letter and re-live the memories it delivers. Consider a walk in
the woods. There unexpectedly near the path is a beautiful
"wild" flower. It is as lovely as a flower cultivated in a
garden.
Each
year people gather in churches of all types to celebrate Easter. One
expects to hear about the empty tomb, the stone rolled away, the message
that He is risen. However, one can find the message about resurrection and
new life in unexpected places. The Gospels, for example, often foreshadow
the resurrection of Christ with the life giving activities of Jesus during
his ministry. The story of the young girl whom Jesus raises back to life
from her sick bed is featured in Mark, Matthew and Luke. According to
Luke, Jesus raises a boy back to life from his funeral procession. The
miracle is an act of life giving justice and mercy for the boy's widowed
mother. The raising of Lazarus in John's Gospel bears tremendous
similarity to the resurrection of Jesus. The sign of Lazarus symbolizes
new life in restored community. While these life-giving miracles are not
the same as Christ's glorious resurrection, they anticipate Christ's
resurrection by giving glory to God and hope to God's people.
One
unexpected place in the gospel where the message of new life is found is
in the story of "The Lost Son". The story itself is familiar
enough. The young son receives his inheritance early but squanders it
quickly. Returning home impoverished and in shame, he is welcomed as one
who has returned from the dead. The prodigal is greeted with rejoicing and
generosity. " For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he
was lost and is found." The son literally lives again in a
renewed restored relationship offered to him as a gift. Here we have an
unexpected clue about the wider meaning of resurrection. The new life that
we celebrate at Easter is one that touches every aspect of our being. We
may await our joyful resurrection of the body; but new life comes to us in
Christ here and now, to heal our hurts, salve our wounds, renew our broken
relationships.
This
Easter celebrate the news that Christ, who has been raised once and for
all, lives in the midst of God's people. Afterwards, go into the world
with hope. The offer of new life in Christ will cross your path in ways
that you might not expect.
The
Rev. Canon Rod Gillis
Passiontide
& Easter 2007
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