Easter 2006
Dear Friends,
When the great stone blocking the tomb was split that first Easter morning, it was more than just Jesus' dead body bursting out of the grave, although that's a pretty good image for what happened. But it wasn't just Jesus' dead body that erupted from the grave. It is our bodies, our hopes, our selves, our world.
Our bodies. There can be a brief time in life when we really do think we are invulnerable, but it's not long before the reality of death's inevitability impinges on us or on those who are dear to us. Whether it's arthritis or cancer or just a general slowing down, we know what it's like to have a rock rolled across our health, to find that we aren't on a path to eternal youth.
Our hopes. Not one of us has had our dearest hopes fulfilled. Whether in the earlier part of life, or in the latter part, some of those things which we had set our hearts on have eluded us. Whether a relationship, a calling, an opportunity never to return, we all know what its like to have a great stone rolled across a future that might have been, and now can never be.
Our selves. We thought we were capable of certain great things and then find we are not. We thought we were invulnerable to certain weaknesses and then find we are not. While there may be much we have done well, we become aware of much that seems forever undeveloped, inaccessible within ourselves. A great stone rolled across who we thought we were.
Our world. Especially in our day we live in anticipatory grief for our world. So many great stones close off its future. They seem to crush us by their sheer number. Will we survive bird flu, global warming, poisoning of the air and water, lust for power and endless desire for material goods? Not just one stone here, but myriads, are being rolled into place to seal off the future of God's glorious planet, which, as one theologian has said, is the Body of God.
So when the great crack of thunder happens and all these grave-stones are shattered into a thousand pieces, we are caught up into an ecstasy of joy and relief and we shout out the inarticulate cry, “Halleluia!” Indeed, “alleluia” may be the original sound of speaking in tongues – a way of trying to express the inexpressible, to articulate that which is beyond language, to speak of the fact that the grave-stones which had sealed off our future and denied us hope and life and joy, have been rolled away. And now serve as a footstool for God! What a victory!
What really happened?
God blind-sided death, and burst through into life sideways.
Jesus' resurrected body still has scars. We think our problem is how to get the right medical care, the right diet, the right exercise. All are very important. But the resurrection of our body comes from another direction and circumvents all that worry. The physical limitations remain, but the glory of God's gift of life shines through right to our last breath.
The risen Jesus still remembers the horror of the crucifixion and the failure of his mission. The pain of his degradation and the failure of his hope are not denied but become incorporated into life. We think the problem is how to get our lives in order, to get it right, to succeed, how to be really good lovers. But the resurrection of our person happens not by our determined struggle to be ever better, but by the relaxation in which we let go and allow God's deep acceptance of us to become our identity and our drive.
And our world. We think that if only we can muster enough votes, find ways to be persuasive enough, get the political process on the side of right, we can set the world back on course. We think our job is to remove that stone. But what really happens is that God is looking for ways to come sideways at time, to break into history from the edge, altering our consciousness, altering our vision, showing us that the worst we humans can do will never make the slightest scratch upon the magnificence and beauty of God's creation. And then our determination is resurrected, our energy for justice and integrity of creation will be based on God's underlying reality and not on our personal strength. We find ourselves able to rejoice and be glad in the face of every threat. And so, without even trying, our work for justice and for God's creation is resurrected.
So, on Easter Day, come and shout with joy to the one who has given creation new life, whose power is even now breaking through the stony walls of our world and our selves!
I enclose an envelope with which you may wish to assist St. John's in its proclamation of this wondrous victory through our many ministries.
The attached calendar provides many opportunities to deepen your experience of God's power breaking through the threat of death, both in the Holy Week and Easter services, and in special opportunities following Easter.
For those who would like intentionally to revitalize and enrich their relationship with the Divine using Joyce Rupp's THE CUP OF OUR LIFE as a guide, The Rev. Karen Fast has planned for two different small groups to meet during the season of Easter: Thursday evenings 7-8:30 in the lower lounge (April 27 - June 1) and Sunday afternoons 2-3:30 in the upper lounge (April 30 - May 28). Those choosing the latter will have to agree on one additional meeting time to finish the 6-week programme. Any adults interested in Confirmation or Reaffirmation of their Baptismal vows on Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 2006, should seriously consider this offering or speak to Karen SOON for alternative preparation. THE CUP OF OUR LIFE has proved popular in the past for St. John's folk. The book can be purchased from Koinonia on Blanchard. Participants should bring their chosen cup or mug to the first meeting. Please register through the church office. Those who have participated before with Karen are welcome to join in again--with the same or a different cup! Oh yes. There is daily homework--20 minutes a day, or more if you like. But don't panic: God is always forgiving if a day is missed occasionally.
Any adults who would like to be baptised, or confirmed, or to re-affirm their commitment to Christ at Pentecost, June 4th, should be in touch shortly with one of the clergy for preparation which will begin after Easter.
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My I draw your attention to two special events this summer:
First, I would invite people to consider travelling as a group to either or both of two seminars June 14th - 21st in Portland Oregon at Trinity Cathedral. The topics are the Church and the Bible in the 21st Century – a very topical concern for us at St. John's. Full details can be found at http://www.center-for-spiritual-development.org/SummerSeminar06.htm. Let the office know if you would be interested in coordinating travel. And they might negotiate a special rate for a group!
Second, I am very pleased to announce that Dom Crossan will be visiting St. John's July 21st to 23rd this summer. Book yourself into this seminar now! For people concerned about how to live the Christian life in the contemporary world these two opportunities will be invaluable.
Karen and your staff join with me in wishing you a very blessed and joyful Easter.
Sincerely,
Harold Munn
The Rev. Canon Dr. Harold Munn
Rector
