Have you ever thought that,
just perhaps, God botched Easter and the Ascension? Consider this –
First, these important
occurrences may have taken place at the wrong historical, period. More than
ever before, humanity needs a resurrected, ascended Messiah now, one who
could be an international hero of enormous impact. The need is so clear; many,
many men, women, and children worship devotedly such idols as Hulk Hogan, Joan
Collins, Michael Jackson, Donald Trump, Elizabeth Taylor, Madonna, Superboy,
Supergirl, Lee Iaccoca, Mother Teresa, Jesse Jackson, Tami and Jim, Princess
Diana, Bill Cosby, young John Kennedy and numerous others -- some, fine people;
others, less so. In any case, they are American household names revered by many
of us. However, I suspect that they and we would not claim that any of them
possess the exemplary qualities of Jesus Christ... whose name unlike their own,
is used more frequently as an expletive than with reverence.
Second, another indication of
possible poor timing: 2,000 years ago there was no media coverage for the
Resurrection or Ascension; we're stuck with old stories subject to endless
debate about their authorship, authenticity, and meanings. Today these events
could be covered by live television, leaving no need for faith; humanity would
not have to make any choices about life's purposes and meanings; all of that
stuff would be on video tape available for purchase or rent. Even if the
occasions themselves had not been televised, Jesus could be interviewed about
capital punishment by Donahue, his feelings about Joseph by Oprah, his
relationship to Mary by Geraldo, how he once threw some people out of a temple
by Mort, and on eternal life by Larry King. I'm not sure how Jesus would
respond to headlines linking him affectionately to Mary Magdalene or to his
Beloved Disciple. How would his ministry be affected by media reports of
impropriety, such as his permissive behavior on the Sabbath and eating with
sinners, and tax-collectors? As a public figure, would he be willing to have
every moment of his life under scrutiny? If reporters were on hand for a
contemporary Ascension, would they scream their graceless questions at him as
he began his journey to God?
A third factor suggesting that
God botched Easter and Ascension is the imperfect Resurrection; scars were left
on Jesus! When he met with his disciples and most likely when he ascended, he
had not been perfectly restored. That his life included horrid wounds remained
evident for all to see. How can anyone take seriously a spokesperson who would
never be used in a contemporary advertisement? This apparent oversight by God
is unacceptable to a world today which values highly so-called "beautiful
people" and those trying to become such by means of overdone make-up, elective
cosmetic surgery, and other preoccupations about appearance.
Are you thinking what I'm
thinking? Maybe Jesus did live at the right time after all! I'm not sure that
his life and ministry would begin to receive a fair hearing in 1989. The most
gracious public people, as well as crooks and people using occasional bad
judgment, are targets of relentless and determined flaw-seekers. How strange!
On the one hand we want our heroes; on the other, a strange glee exudes from
our dark sides when we learn of a possible blemish in their lives. I suspect
that if a fault can't be found, it will be invented - just one step removed
from slander. I believe' that, at the very least, malicious gossip papers
available at the grocery check-out would diminish God's Word in Christ if his
Resurrection and Ascension occurred today.
But, what of the scars?
Couldn't the Creator have done a better job? Of course, he did the best
possible thing: there was no cover-up, no pretense that Good Friday never
happened, no denial that even healed wounds may leave permanent scars. What a
powerful message to you and me: whatever befalls us, including our own Good
Fridays, leaves its marks. God is more realistic than those of us who try to
pretend that we have no traces of hard times, betrayals, hurts, regrets,
sorrows -- the scars of crucifixions we undergo and inflict. God's healing does
not eliminate past tragedies; rather, the past is outshone as the present is
transfigured.
A personal example of this
Easter power is found in the words of Archbishop John Whealon of Hartford,
words which I quoted a year ago but bear repeating: "I am now a member of an
association of people who have been wounded by cancer. That association has as
its symbol the phoenix bird. The reference is to Egyptian mythology, which told
of this bird... flying off to Phoenicia, burning itself up with fire, and then
being reborn in its own ashes. In the same way, any person with an ostomy is
considered, phoenix-like, to have risen from the ashes of disease and to have
been given a new lease on life. That is true for anyone who has survived a
struggle with cancer. Suddenly life becomes more precious for having been and
for being so precarious. Now each hour is lived more fully. Each friend, each
person seems much more real, comes so incredibly alive. Now the sky seems more
blue, the sunshine more beautiful, the colors more vivid. And even the dull and
ordinary things are causes for gratitude to God for their wonder and beauty."
Archbishop Whealon could be living in a tomb of self-pity, hopeless defeat, and
chronic sadness, but his trust in God's power has opened his eyes to new
visions of life; with scars remaining, he has been raised to newness of life.
Today is the Seventh Sunday of
Easter, the Sunday after the Ascension, the final Sunday of the Easter Season.
The Lord risen in our hearts and minds has been celebrated for a little over 40
days: the Christ who is now seated at the right hand of the Father was
especially praised on Thursday, Ascension Day. In today's Gospel we hear a
prayer said by Christ, a prayer for our unity in what we do here this morning
and for the shared Easter, vision of this Cathedral congregation; the prayer is
old yet new, a prayer with roots in Jesus' Resurrection and Ascension, yet a
timely embrace of you and me.
No, God didn't botch the
Resurrection and Ascension in any way. The whole Christ-event was well--timed
and effectively fulfilled. At this very moment you and I are caught up in its
entirety in an ancient way more powerful, more graceful, and more realistic
than any contemporary contrivance could provide. The ultimate hero longed for
by the world is Risen and Ascended, yet present in the breaking of the bread.
Now, come Holy Spirit!