April 17, 2022 Easter Sunday: Luke 24:1 – 12

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them.  The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.  Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee,  that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.”  Then they remembered his words,  and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened.”

Everyone, and by everyone I mean the disciples, including the women, everyone goes back to their homes, or back to their jobs, the weeks following that first Easter Sunday. The disciples, including those who think this is an idle tale, and those who have no idea what this all means yet. All of the disciples return home—well except for a few women. Joanna, Mary the mother of James, Joanna, Mary Magdalene, they are the first witnesses for they see and talk to Jesus. And Jesus sends the women home to tell the men, to tell them the awesome good news. Everyone goes home.

And, today, after the Easter festivities, we will do the same—we will also go home. Some will leave today not sure of what they have just seen and heard. Others will go home thinking it is just a myth—and still others will go home and not say anything about it, going back to life as usual. As another Easter comes and goes, what will you do? Will you go home and ponder all that you have seen and heard? Or will you not say anything to anyone? What will you do tomorrow?

This Easter celebration is going to end today. But like a rock being rolled away to release our tombs of fear of doubt and disbelief, another Easter comes and goes. You know, anymore in my life, Easter comes so fast I find myself heading home Easter Sunday afternoon wondering what just happened. But Easter deserves better. Jesus deserves better. So, how do we keep that “Empty Tomb” feeling – that “He is Risen” joy all throughout the year? You see, the rest of the year we struggle with that empty feeling – and by empty feeling I mean our pews – not the tomb. We know many people who call themselves Christians, but they reduce their faith to two services a year—Christmas and ________.  You got it. They come to get filled with Christmas traditions and Easter obligations, and then they go home and continue to live lives as well as they believe they can, because, at least they are “Chreasters” – pseudo-Christians. But even the disciples went back home to live their regular lives to do their regular jobs, after Jesus died. They went home thinking “I have to do something—I might as well fish, or plant, or build”.

I am here to tell you it is not Jesus’ fault so many have that empty feeling. Just like Thomas, too many doubt the Easter joy others tell them about. They struggle with wanting first-hand experiences with the Risen Savior. But, my friends, Jesus doesn’t just remain aloof hoping we fulfill that Christmas tradition and Easter obligation. The fact is, too many people roll up their stones of fear in their lives to block Jesus out. But, again, I am here to tell you that Jesus isn’t hiding – Jesus appears to us every day—like he did with Magdalene, and with the disciples—G-d is trying G-d’s best to roll away our stones. And begins by shocking and amazing us this Easter morning.

On this Easter Sunday morning, we need to shout with our loudest voices that Christ has been raised from the dead.  My friends, if you are still uncertain about this thing called Easter, and wonder if there is something to this talk of resurrection and eternal life, I want you to consider this – G-d has done the unthinkable – G-d has done it all.

Pastor Dave

April 16, 2022 – Words From Merton

Nothing is Harder than to Sit and Rest

“When Jesus heard about John, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out and followed Him on foot from the towns. When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.…”  Matthew 14:13-14

“And so we go from bad to worse, exhaust ourselves, empty our whole life of all content, and fall into despair. There are times then, when in order to keep ourselves in existence at all we simply have to sit back for a while and do nothing….nothing is more difficult than to sit still and rest…”  Thomas Merton (The Pocket Thomas Merton, p. 17-18)

Nothing is Harder than to Sit and Rest

When was the last time you had the chance to sit still and do nothing?  The introduction of the book I have about Thomas Merton was written by Robert Inchausti. Inchausti was born in Sacramento, California, attended Sacramento State University and got his Ph. D. in English from The University of Chicago. Robert is the author of five books and the editor of two anthologies of Thomas Merton’s writings. He writes: “The purpose of a book of meditations is to teach you how to think and not to do your thinking for you. As soon as any thought stimulates your mind or your heart you can put the book down because your meditation has begun.”

As someone who finds it hard to sit still, when I get to do it, I find it is very enriching for me. And, if I can write while I am sitting still, the better I am for it, and the better my writing is as well. Jesus tried desperately to find time to sit and be still, and to pray. Most of the time, the crowds who were following him did not allow him enough time to rest. But that did not stop Jesus from trying. 

When I include a scripture reading with the writing from Thomas Merton, I want you to read each line of the verse and then sit still for some time, and meditate on one or two lines of scripture. Let the scripture reading settle onto you, and into you. When you have read scripture, or when you have read any other meditation, once you have read it, well, your personal meditation has just begun. It is not good enough just to have finished the reading – you must let it become part of you.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, every day is a chance to read scripture and to pray. When I read and when I pray, help me to have a quiet mind, a calm heart, and open ears. Amen.

Pastor Dave