Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Terribly Good News

Terribly Good News 
Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Mark 16:1-8

The gospel of Mark has two different endings. The passage we read today is considered to be the original ending. I know it is deeply dissatisfying. It claims that the closest disciples of Jesus were so intimidated by the announcement of the resurrection, that they went off in silence and fear. Often people abandon relationships when events take a turn we do not understand, and we assume the other did intentionally, whether they did or not. In this age of mobility, we can choose distance over relationship very easily. 
If the initial response of the disciples was truly the end of the story, we never would never have celebrated Easter morning. Mark always painted Jesus as the man of action, and his band of followers as the “Duh-ciples.” The duh-ciples never quite understand what Jesus is saying, never really see the big picture. The ending of Mark’s gospel, would have us believe that the followers of Christ, shrunk in cowardice on that first Easter morning. 
I think it is important for the church in the world today, to own the scriptures, awkward places and all, not simply settle for the feel good parts, or think that the entire volume agrees with the simplest of interpretations. The fact is, our children are so much less likely to push the “I believe” button than we were at their age. So as we mature in the faith, we acknowledge the difficult places, and learn what they mean. 
We prefer to consider the disciples as heroic, as depicted in the other gospels, as running back and forth between the Upper Room, high on Mount Zion west of the Old City of Jerusalem, and the holy sepulcher or burial place of the body of Jesus. So, we would gladly ignore this first ending of the first gospel, and attach ourselves to the later versions. 
But let us say right here and now, there is something reassuring about dealing with a human-sized bit of anxiety when faced with extraordinary happenings. I mean, this resurrection is really unheard of and few could believe it. It is not normal, and it is not what we consider humanly possible. 
Throughout the Easter season, we have sought to reassure our freedom to come before God without the defenses of orthodox theology - as reduced to platitudes. We are free to name the reality we face, and, in the nakedness of our own faith, address that reality. Whether we are anxious over surgery, or anxious about “what it might look like to others,” we are free to deal with reality of our faith; and then - within a truly personal relationship with God - try to do more and be more. 
The Eastern Orthodox portion of the church says that as soon as Jesus was raised from the dead, he released all of the souls in “Hades” the place of the dead. Artists show Jesus overcoming the gatekeeper of Hades, defeating the forces of death. The Western church has not kept this tradition alive, although it belongs to us, and is a rich way of seeing the communal power of the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised, we will all be raised. 
As awkward as it is, I think it should help this faith of ours, as we recognize just how exotic and supernatural it feels to those outside - and some inside - of the church, who are not able to push the “I Believe in the resurrection” button. It is great news that death is not the end, that there is another act yet to be played, where peace and love are the norm. 

But we know life after death stories, post apocalyptic tales, bring into play the fantastic horror stories the culture has created.That form of literature, end of the world apocalypses, was born in the time between the Old Testament and the New Testament, which is where the Revelation, the last book of the bible, has its roots. These past few years we have experienced a resurgence of life after death stories. 

The Walking Dead, a television series now in its eighth season, neatly defines the genre. It is an ‘end of the world as we know it’ saga. The human population is reduced to a couple of isolated bands, and mummies wander around posing a mortal threat to the continued existence of the human race. Other tribal communities, vie for resources and control, presenting still another level of threat. These kinds of fantasies - of human fears and defensiveness - are more predictable, than the story we celebrate of our beloved Jesus, defeating death and inviting us to be faithful and love one another.  

The unsatisfying original ending of the gospel of Mark, leaves the ball in our hands. Can you and I create a better ending to the story that the original duh-ciples? Do we have the clarity of vision, to pronounce the presence of the Kingdom of God, in a way that will be persuasive and confront the anxiety of those who face death? What do we tell the duh-ciples of Mark?  

We celebrate this morning as in-siders. We celebrate Easter with others who believe and celebrate the resurrection of the Christ. We sing songs, and the choir and the bells make a joyous noise. It is easy to feel good in here. 

Will we be willing to claim our Easter faith among our less religious family and friends? Or, will we replay Peter’s denial of Christ, when it might seem convenient to imitate his behavior? Can we live with confidence in God’s love and resurrection? 

This fantastic story of the resurrection is written into the very fabric of our natural life. Lilies, typical of those bulb flowers that bloom every year, are the classic symbol of apparent death and then rebirth. The season of Spring itself, when the weather gives it a fighting chance, soon will make the air smell of fresh vegetation, at least it does here in the midwest. 

The life cycle of congregations also goes through periods of decline, and then moves into a new season, with new possibilities and new challenges. This congregation, is moving into a season of rebirth. The Search Committee is meeting the possibilities of a new tomorrow - wading through the Profiles of multiple pastors, anxious to be considered for the chance to serve with you. 

Jesus, the man of action, has been raised from the dead. The power and glory of God has been revealed in a new way. The work of the church, the living body of Christ, continues to unfold before us - with new challenges and opportunities to put the love of God into action. 

The love of God: both, the way we love God as Jesus loved God; and the presence of God’s love that empowers our mission to the world; that love of God - is in evidence as we live and do our ministry. 

No one chooses death. Even in the church we fight like crazy to defend the status quo. But the God of love believes in new life, in resurrection, in restored relationships and possibilities. The terrible events of the Passion of Christ, result in the inexplicable, undeniable, and marvelously outrageous resurrection. The same resurrection that so overwhelmed the duh-ciples, so that initially they were stretched beyond what they could comprehend.  

Christ is Risen! Alleluia! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! And because he lives, the love of God lives and is evident in every kind word, good deed, and especially in every effort made towards reconciliation of relationships, strained and left for dead. As the church, we are the body of the Risen Christ, “The Walking Resurrected,” bringing new life to the world.   


As we celebrate the risen Christ, we acknowledge our own part in making that life evident in the world. As we read the original ending of the original gospel, we recognize that we are gifted as apostles and angels, powerful beyond the pale of the original duh-ciples, and ready to write a new Chapter in the book of God’s love. Christ is Risen! Alleluia! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia! Christ is Risen! Alleluia! He is Risen indeed! Alleluia!

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