However, we mostly live in a “fourteenth station” world. The time between the “already” and the “not yet.” A place of waiting and, often, a place of abandonment and discouragement.
No matter how deep our faith, it occasionally feels like we are far from the Divine and that the Divine remains distant from us.
Something like Mary and the disciples on that Friday night and Saturday.
And, unfortunately, even after 20 centuries, it often does not appear to have gotten any easier.
But, I have to look for the element of hope in all of this, or this reflection will likely not get posted on our blog. And maybe the element of hope is here.
The early disciples were willing to die for their belief in the unbelievable. They were willing to sacrifice wealth and reputation to support their faith in Mashiach.
Can their sacrificial faith inspire me/us? Can their faith give those of us, who live in a “fourteenth station” world, hope and peace in the Risen One? Am I able to believe in the “unbelievable”?
Can I believe that our Country can survive this period of moral and political testing? Can I believe that our churches, so seemingly divided, can ever come to fulfill Jesus’ dream of unity? Can I believe that human beings will finally learn how to live together in peace? Can I believe that we will ever be able to transcend imposed gender roles and live as one?
I profess, while still not understanding, that Jesus rose from the dead. But I also believe that this credal element will not make any difference at all if we fail to live as a risen and renewed community.
I wish you a Happy Easter. Not as a blessing, but as a challenge.
Go out there and witness to our identity as an Easter People, ready to proclaim, “Send me,” “Alleluia!”