Luke 24: 36- 53 (NRSV)
While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, "Peace be with you." They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, "Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have." And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, "Have you anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you-that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled." Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high." Then he led them out as far as Bethany, and, lifting up his hands, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven. And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy; and they were continually in the temple blessing God.
Blog Reflection
Before I begin my remarks for today, I must apologize for not having written a blog post this past Sunday. Jason and I moved from the west to the east side of Richfield on Wednesday, June 29 and we had no internet from Friday, July 1 until Wednesday evening July 6th. Regular blog posts will resume as of today.
When I opened this Gospel reading from today's Daily Office, I admit I was a bit like "Easter again?"
The events around us do not exactly makes us what to celebrate resurrection. There is way too much junk going on. Everything from the political conflicts associated with the National debt ceiling and the now looming possibility of cuts to medicare, medicaid and social security do not bring to mind the celebration of Easter.
A report from the Daily Beast tells us that we have more candidates for public office who identify as white supremacists that threaten people of different races and cultures.
Many Senators and Representatives believe that the poor not the rich should help our country work our way out of debt.
Christianist Lou Engle stated that the terrible tornadoes in Joplin, MO were "God's punishment for abortion."
The Family Research Council is praying that more countries like Malawi will criminalize homosexuality.
It might be much easier if for us to accept these ideas if so many of these ideas and words came from people who have no claim to any kind of religious faith. So many people who may want to believe in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit just cannot make that leap of faith when they hear such hate and violent rhetoric from those who claim to believe in a God of redeeming and saving grace. Who can really blame them?
The resurrection did not take place in the midst of the most peaceful of events. Those who were close to Jesus had just witnessed the horrible crucifixion and death of their most beloved friend. Many of them saw the religious leaders of their day become political terrorists for the purpose of getting someone else out of their way.
The Jews and the Jewish religion were not to blame for the death of Jesus. Political and social corruption were most responsible for this act of severe injustice. The misuse of religion may have played a role. But the religion itself and those who devoutly practice that faith, are blameless. All forms of anti-semitism towards Jews and the Jewish religion as being the instigator for the crucifixion and death of Jesus need to be condemned and stopped.
The resurrection does not come to us in the midst of peace and tranquility. At times it may seem that way. Resurrection does not happen when the poor, women, LGBT, immigrants, the sick, the lonely, the homeless and those on the verge of total economic collapse are targeted by politicians, religious leaders and social conservatives.
The resurrected Jesus does come among us and offer us peace and hope when people who are burdened with sorrow, affliction and hurt are looking for meaning in the midst of it all.
Jesus comes among us with the marks of our broken humanity in his hands, feet and side and offers us a path to wholeness and reconciliation.
The resurrected Jesus so hopes that those clinging to political corruption to better themselves while others suffer at their hands, will see the reality of those whom their decisions help or hurt.
The Jesus who rose from the dead calls on Christians to a conversion of heart, mind and life so that we might help turn the world and the Church away from prejudice and exclusionary behaviors and attitudes.
This past Sunday, we heard Jesus tell those who are carrying heavy burdens to come to him and find rest. Jesus also calls on those who follow him to learn from Jesus so that we may reflect the self sacrificing love of God through God's perfect revelation of God's Self. A love that sees past the color of someone's skin, someone's sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, gender, language, religion etc, and sees "a name and not a label." (Hymn #603, Hymnal 1982). A love that knows each human person as a valuable and holy person redeemed by God's holy love and made right by God's saving grace. Not because they follow a particular religious doctrine or speak English.
Our Christian faith calls us to be better than just saying our prayers and hearing inspiring talks. Our Faith tells us that it is our business and purpose to be concerned and active on behalf of those who are facing conflict, oppression, violence and bias.
As Jesus the risen Christ comes among us and says "Peace be with you" Jesus also calls all of us to be peacemakers with the world around us.
Who, where and how is the risen Christ calling us to be a peacemaker today?
Prayers
O God, you have taught us to keep all your commandments by loving you and our neighbor: Grant us the grace of your Holy Spirit, that we may be devoted to you with our whole heart, and united to one another with pure affection; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Proper 9, Book of Common Prayer, page 230).
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen. (Prayer for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, page 815).
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. (A Prayer attributed to St. Francis, Book of Common Prayer, page 833).
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