This story made me think about the dryness and used up bones around us; people who are in the midst of suffering, mourning, fear and depression. It made me aware that others may be so dried up and bereft, have nothing left, have ash on their tongue and bones that ache to the point of desiring release, that their spirit is dead.In our communities we have this particular season of Lent may be described as a season of death. Along side the usual struggle of cancer, death and burned relationships we have been inundated with news of the Oso, Washington mudslide, a missing plane in the Indian Ocean and the Sherpas who died on Mt. Everest. These all add to a surreal moment. It would be easy at times like these to wonder if God is dead or at least not paying attention. It would be easy to just give up on the whole thing of faith.
BUT …
Thank God for the gift of the Church, the gift of community, the gift of others who can lift us up and put sinew on our dried up spirits. You have witnessed this in your own small family of faith. People being present for those who cannot do it alone, praying for those who cannot pray for themselves, feeding those who cannot raise a fork, wrapping the weeping in shawls of prayer. Even in worship we gather to sing, pray and partake of the grace of our God; all of which witnesses to God’s presence.
When Mary and Martha mourned for Lazarus, Jesus wept. He entered into their suffering and shared their pain of loss. This is who we are called to be for each other and we have witnessed this power in our communities of faith; the power of presence and its ability to bring life in the dead of spirit.
This is what resurrection looks like. It brings hope and joy in the midst of suffering and tears. It offers room for those who need to weep and cry out with no fear of rejection or shame.
Our communities of faith have proven time and time again that hospitality in action heals many wounds. We have seen that to be welcoming is more than just a nice hello, but an entering into the full life of the other. May God continue to bless us with this ministry and the energy and courage to move beyond where we are comfortable into the radical Gospel of Jesus Christ.
