Easter angels
Sunday, March 31, 2013
First Sunday of Easter
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/033113.cfm
Luke 24:4-6
Two men in dazzling garments appeared to the women at Jesus’ tomb. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. The men said to them, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead? He is not here, but he has been raised. Remember what he said to you …”
When we see each other, we are not wearing dazzling garments. Nor do we have wings. These are only so humans will see and marvel and understand that God is real and immediate in their lives. On the contrary, we wear simple shifts, un-dyed robes which do not call attention to ourselves. We love God. Our clothes do not sparkle, but our eyes do.
When we are called to speak to humans, we must enter their realm of time and materials. We are strangers in their strange land. Passover lasts for three days and begins on the fourteenth day of the second month. Sabbath is on the seventh day. God ordained these things, but Jesus told them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.” It is almost as if humans think these times are significant in their own right.
And their fear usually has to do what has not YET happened. They seem so worried about having “enough” time. What does that mean? Jesus’ resurrection has always been, is now, and ever shall be. World without end. God Is. In the beginning, God. Like humans, we have emotions, and they help shape our thoughts, but we are not burdened or drawn off by confused thoughts about time.
It must be difficult for humans to imagine the rejoicing we do in the presence of the Trinity, rejoicing that never changes and never ends. There’s no ebb or flow but always the flood. Jesus is risen. He is always rising, he has always risen. Jesus Is.
Death intimidates humans. They act as if it separates them into individuals and limits their freedom. They do not see how their own independent deaths reunite them with their human family. They go from dust to dust, but that is not occasion for despair. It is the reason we rejoice: God Is, and we are united with God. As angels. As humans. We the created ones are loved and loved and loved into the bosom of our Creator.
This is the Day that the Lord has made. Let us Rejoice and be glad in it. We give thanks to you, Lord, for you are good, and your mercy endures Forever.
http://www.christiancounselingservice.com/archived_devotions.php?article_id=1184
