Living in upstate New York is altering my theology of the resurrection. For forty years (actually almost fifty) I have associated Easter and the resurrection with a glorious spring—warm weather and colorful flowers. In the South, azaleas come into full bloom sometime around Easter clothed in bright pink and deep coral, nail scarred white and pink blossoms cover dogwood trees, yellow daffodils fill the landscape. All the analogies of flower bulbs and leafless trees lying dormant until late March or early April and then suddenly springing to life around Easter have reinforced for me, all my life, that resurrection is real. The dark and dreary dismal days of winter are replaced with sunshine, warm weather and blue skies. These outward and visible signs have always confirmed for me that indeed Christ is risen. Alleluia!
However, as I write this article on April 23rd it is snowing and it is cold. The skies are gray and I cannot see a single flower of any color from my study window. Where are Easter and the resurrection now? The once very familiar signs are suddenly nowhere to be seen. Today looks more like Good Friday than Easter and I am forced to look somewhere else for signs of resurrection. But where?
One thought is to look back on my life to see if I can remember times where God brought life out of death. Yes, I remember feelings of utter despair before, during and after my divorce—days on end of depression and hopelessness. But, then I also remember how shimmers of hope and glimpses of new life began appearing. My life did go on in unimaginable ways. Then there was my work as a hospital chaplain. Many days there was more pain and suffering than I thought I could bear. But then light would shine in the darkness through a patient’s faith or recovery or even death.
Another place to look for resurrection is to think of all the people I know who have their own Easter stories. There is Michael who is five and has muscular dystrophy but is so joyous about life. There are the Bucci’s who lost their twins prematurely and are now expecting again. A friend, John, e-mails how his wife’s dying has taught him about living.
During these next fifty days of Easter we are all invited to look for the risen Christ. The gospel readings in the coming weeks will tell of his appearing to those first believers. As the risen Christ, Jesus continues to appear to believers. We are to be on the lookout. So watch for lives around you being transformed and changed. Watch for hope to emerge out of despair. Watch for new life. Be on the lookout. Christ is risen. Alleluia! Alleluia!