While the stars still shone in the heavens,
before the first crack of dawn,
birds could be heard singing in the cemetery
chirping their gratitude for another day.
Small animals scurried about
looking for breakfast in the shrubs of the garden.
Doing what they were fashioned to do,
involved in the work of God
the energy of all of creation blessed the women
who were carrying the burial spices
and planning to prepare the
body of Jesus in the proper Jewish way.
By the time they reached the tomb and found
the rock rolled away, did the
landscape of nature in the garden graveyard
soften and awaken the hearts of women
that were dulled to possibilities
and feeling numb, devoid of joy, love, and hope?
Did connecting with God’s creation
help these truly devoted
ones make sense of Jesus’ missing body and the
two angels, bodies of brilliant light shining in
the darkness, standing at the
head and foot of where the body once had laid?
Can you imagine the singing of
the birds silencing in
reverence as the angel speaks and then reaching
a crescendo after the angels relay
the message, “Jesus is not here but raised up!”
In awe, the women left and before
they could talk themselves out of it
became apostles to the eleven remaining.
Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother
of James, and the other women.
We owe so much to these for trusting in what
they saw and being courageous enough to
share the news of the Holy Resurrection! *
From Holy Week to Easter
Most of us cannot imagine experiencing an event as horrible as the crucifixion. Yet even for lesser experiences, without the filling of the Holy Spirit they can be labeled as hindrances. The resurrection teaches us that even in head shaking moments, when we are completely perplexed as to how anything good could come out this. God can work good for all of creation.
When we seek the positive even in difficult situations, life can seem less confusing. On Good Friday, who would have guessed that Jesus would have spent more time with his closest friends once again and that people are healed in the name of Jesus Christ even now.
If you’re like many of us, winter’s last binge seemed almost too much to bear. Gradually the world is being transformed and we see one glorious flower after another showing off their brilliant colors, and trees erupting into fragrant blooms. It’s like they are saying, “Here I am! It’s my time to shine and awaken spirits to God’s love!”
Springtime reflects the post-resurrection time of Christ: the luxurious feel of green grass on sensitive bare feet, children’s squeals of delight while chasing one another, and squirrels playfully pursuing one another up and down tree trunks.
The resurrection is central to our faith and God’s intentions for order and beauty in our world seem more evident this time of year than any other. When spending any time in creation, goodness is demonstrated!
May we live into the Paschal Mystery of dying and rising, and death and new life as Christ leaves an impression upon our faith and lives.
Rev. Marta Wheeler
*in appreciation to the Lectio Divina prayer group, whose contributions helped form the poem.