Week of April 8 Devotions

April 8 Easter Sunday 2012-Some of us reading this will live to the rough 2000th anniversary of the first Easter. Mark’s gospel ends with an empty tomb and a word from an angelic messenger. No Hollywood CGI images, but a report of a resurrection. In that way, we are all carriers of the same story, as no one witnessed the actual resurrection. If you were making a movie of Easter, how would you present it?

Monday-Easter Monday does not have nearly the letdown of the day after Christmas for many of us. We have a longer buildup for Easter than Christmas in liturgy. Why doe sit not have the impact of Christmas? Maybe you have some leftovers from Easter supper. Easter light shines on Easter supper and on leftovers on Monday the same way. Whenever we catch sight of new life, whenever we sustain the hopes of God’s constantly new way in the world, it is the Easter dawn.

Tuesday-For the first half of radiation treatment, I avoided side effects, but they came into the second half. So my discomfort hit, but I was surprised less by it and more by the immediate impact it had on my mood, especially my tolerance for frustration and my impatience. I didn’t need the reminder, but it was a powerful demonstration of how a physical issue places a burden on our emotional and mental state.

Wednesday Ched Meyers is in our area today. About a quarter-century ago, he wrote a commentary on the Gospel of Mark that emphasizes its views of a spiritual and political power struggle. He reminds us that the kingdom of God is a political image that describes the way god wants things to work in the world, divine organization. When we are led to peace and justice, reconciliation and hope, fairness and equality, we know we are living ever closer to God’s kingdom, God’s way in the world.

Thursday-an old friend is coming into the area tomorrow. We don’t appreciate our friends as much as we should. We let them fade away from our lives at times, or let some small matter undermine the relationship. In the great farewell sermon in John, Jesus says that he will no longer call his disciples by that name, but as friends. Consider thanking an old friend, as Jefferson did with Madison. Consider getting back in touch with an old friend.

Friday- Christians are always people of the dawn, due to Easter. On the show Mad Men, don is accused of liking only beginnings. Easter points to new life, always. The notion of being born from above/born anew/born again has a sense that Easter is embraced every time we move from a spiritual rut to a new perspective. Do you see some beginnings in your life in different areas? At the same time, where do you need ot perseverance to follow through from the start of the goal to implementing your plan, from dream to reality?

Saturday Cursillo is a Roman Catholic retreat movement that has caught some significant support with Protestant groups. It is both a retreat experience and a sort of Christianity 101. A group, Ultreia (onward/excelsior) is meeting here today and sharing in the Lord’s Supper. It’s an ecumenical group, so it is important to share the Lord’s Supper, as our traditions disagree on the prayers and even its meaning, but we do share this bread and cup. Beyond the Babel sounds of our traditions, the action is the same the world over.