It is Easter Sunday.
I was raised in a theatrical Christian faith. Prosperity gospel is
founded on large miracles. Big Faith motivates everything. If you don’t have
Big Faith, then God can’t work. God seemed to be this Giant Wizard sitting on a
throne waiting for me to obey just the right command. Then and ONLY then could
he bless me. For years, I strained against this yolk of Christianity. Wondering
what was wrong with me.
Jesus said, “My yolk is easy and my burden is light.”
I felt heavy and constantly failing.
Then Easter would come. I would be reminded of the BIG miracles
all over again. Around and around this faith Merry-go-round I rode.
God reveals himself to me in fingerprints.
So when it comes to Easter. The biggest holiday of our religious
year, it isn’t the rolling stone that excites me anymore. I don’t need the
fainting Roman Soldiers or the Magic Jesus appearing in the room.
The Jesus I’ve come to know and see in my life is the one who:
Came to Mary when she was alone and distraught in the garden. She
sat next to the tomb wondering where He was. Agonizing over what she would do
next. Jesus met her first. Alone. Before anyone else. In a small intimate,
loving moment he says her name. Once Mary is comforted, I imagine Jesus smiles
at her lovingly then disappears. In joy she rushes to the upper room to tell
the Disciples in hiding that Jesus is alive.
The Jesus who walked along the Road to Emmaus talking with Cleophas and another Disciple. They were very discouraged and confused. Jesus joins
them on the path, asks what’s troubling them then explains it all. By the
time they get to their destination the two men understand who Jesus is. All
doubts and fears cleared away. In this small moment of walking and talking,
Jesus revealed who he was, comforted them. I imagine Jesus just smiles at them
lovingly and disappears. They in joy return to Jerusalem to tell the others.
The Jesus who sits patiently on the shore. Peter, wrapped inself-loathing, figured it was all over. Jesus was gone. No more changing theworld. Confused with his What’s Next, he returned to his original job.
Fishing. Peter, sitting on the boat, frustrated after a dark morning of
no fish.
Peter heard a familiar call from shore, “Throw the nets on the
other side.:
Suddenly the nets were full of fish. Peter jumps out of the boat
and runs to shore. Most people talk about the magic fish, or the usual Feed My
Sheep redemption sermon.
Not me.
It’s the small miracle of Jesus, just sitting on the shore. With a
basket of fish, cooking breakfast for Peter.over a fire.
In all three of these Easter moments, Jesus met them where they
were. To me that is the Miracle of Easter. God, the Divine, an Unconditionally
Loving Higher Power come to meet me right where I am.
The Small Graces
Mary in a garden. Distraught.
The Divine comes to say my name with reassurance and let me know I
am not alone or forgotten at the mouth of death.
Cleophas and another walking, probably home, disillusioned.
The Divine comes to help me understand when I am confused at how
life didn’t work out. I am granted guidance when I am lost in what to do next.
Peter back at his day job. Humiliated and confused.
Most of all, the Divine comes to nourish me when I am depleted.
When I feel like an absolute and utter failure. The Divine comes to simply sit
with me until I am restored.
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