An Easter reflection by Lynne, fcJ, first appeared at FCJ Sisters Blog
As I read the Resurrection stories from the Gospels I don’t find lots of certainty and immediate clarity. In John’s Gospel (20:11-18) Mary is seeking Jesus who was placed within the tomb, and her confusion and grief when she discovers he is not there are understandable. When she meets the risen Jesus she fails to recognise him, and Jesus poses this question: Who are you looking for? Mary is looking for the dead, and yet Jesus is living. She is seeking in the wrong place. It is only when she hears Jesus speak her name that she hears something which calls her out of her old ideas and into a new way of understanding.
Easter, resurrection, challenges us to not look for Jesus simply in our own narrow perspective, but to be willing to meet him where he is now in his risen life. Christ is among the living, Christ brings life and hope where there was death and sorrow.
There is a song by Marty Haugen that I particularly love because it speaks of this shifting of perspective. It’s called Song at the Empty Tomb (you can listen to a clip here but it only has the end so you miss the lyrics… )
Song at the Empty Tomb – Marty Haugen
Once you brought the dead into life,
your hands were healing and peace,
your words were fire and light,
your life was promise and feast.
Now you leave us trembling and weak,
no more the sureness of death,
No more the world that I knew,
life that is new with each breath.
Where now is the body you wore?
What is this dark empty hole?
Where is the One that I love?
Where is the fire of my soul?
You who were the truth of my life,
you now my fear and my hope,
Who shatters death and the grave,
who goes before me alone.
You who shake the earth and the stars,
who opens tombs in my soul,
Who knows my weakness and pain,
you tear and rend and make whole.
Here beyond the shadow of death,
here where the day breaks anew,
There is no future, but faith,
there is no promise but you.
Here in the midst of death,
we shall see the birth of life.
Now in the darkest hour,
we shall know the face of God.
Here in the midst of life, here within each fearful heart,
Now in each human form, you shall be the risen one.
Grant to us this day of your life,
when all your people shall see,
When death itself shall have died,
when we your kingdom shall be.
We your Kingdom shall be.
Photos: Easter at FCJ Centre St Hugh’s in Liverpool, by Lynne fcJ
