Sunrise

If you haven't watched The Bible yet on television, the final segment will be on Easter Sunday.  It has been worthwhile viewing this special event.  Apparently, the response has been far more than Mark Burnette and Romy Downey ever expected.  People are so hungry for God.

I was reflecting on the apostles and how their life must have been a total roller coaster.  The ups -- people clamoring for Jesus, Jesus healing people, Jesus feeding the people, Jesus becoming known by more and more, people calling for Jesus to be their king.

They knew the private Jesus and they knew the public Jesus.  They ate meals with Him, listened to His words meant especially for them, and they heard Him speak to the multitudes.  His words were clear -- that he must die.  And yet, they could not really grasp the whole of it, could they?

For when the downs came -- Judas betraying Jesus, Jesus being arrested, Peter denying Jesus, and Jesus being tortured -- they were laid low.  They were afraid and hiding.  A few of them witnessed His death, including Mary.  But their ministry was in shambles, and they were afraid that their own end was next. 

After Jesus gave His life and his followers were in hiding, only the women went to the tomb because they were obeying the customs which included anointing the body with special oils.  It was a dark time for them, the darkest of days.

When the women returned and cried out that Jesus was gone, that He had risen from the death, they thought they were hysterical, but several of them checked the tomb for themselves.  He was gone and He was risen.  It was then that they remembered His words. 

The very thing that Rome feared most had happened.  The prophecies were fulfilled in their midst.  The apostles saw Jesus again, even Thomas, and after Jesus went to His Father, they were filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. 

Today there are many who in a sense hide and are afraid, are in a dark place, are lonely and confused, and who do not know what is missing in their lives.  The world's answer for joy and love is not Jesus' answer for joy and love. 

Easter in a small town is more intimate.  You know many of your fellow parishioners, and you know many who attend other churches.  We have quite a few here in Canal Fulton.  In a quiet place shaded with huge fir trees that overlooks the little town, there is a cemetery.  In fact, you can easily see the spire of SS Philip & James from this place.  Years ago, I went to a sunrise service there.  Can you imagine the peace and the quiet of reverent souls gathering in a place like that?

So we prepare to remember that more than 2,000 years ago mankind's existence was changed.  The sorrow of tomorrow will turn to joy, just as it did then.