Easter – God Alive And Present – Where? 4-4-2010

mike — Sun, 04 Apr 2010 13:26:41 +0000

We have all seen images from Haiti and Chile: the death and devastation in the wake of an earthquake. We shake our heads in disbelief: How could God let such a thing happen? Where was God for these people?
But in the darkness of such tragedy, listen to the angel of Easter morning: Look beyond the stone; God is not entombed but very much alive here. See the doctor who leaves his practice to travel half way around the world to help care for the survivors? See the relief workers who work night and day setting up clinics and camps, drilling fresh water wells and rebuilding roads? See the churches and schools and communities around the world who mobilize to collect money and clothing and food and medicine? God is not buried in the rubble – God is raised up in such compassion and generosity.
As the temperature hovers around zero, a fire destroys a city block. Several people are killed, many are seriously hurt; scores of families are suddenly homeless, everything they own lost in the blaze. We feel for their plight: How could God let this happen? Where was God for them this night?
But in the ashes, the angel at the entrance of the tomb asks: Why do you see God in the ruins? Didn’t you see the firefighter who risked his life to save that five-year-old trapped on the sixth floor? Didn’t you see the EMTs work miracles in treating the victims of burns and smoke inhalation and rush to get them to hospitals? Didn’t you see the volunteers who came with food and blankets, helping the homeless take the first difficult steps in rebuilding their lives? God is not among the ashes – God is alive in the selflessness and sacrifice exhibited this horrible night.
War takes many forms and is waged in many places. Wars are fought globally, nationally, and locally; wars are waged not only in jungles and ravaged cities, but also in offices and school yards, in kitchens and bedrooms. We cry: How can God let us keep destroying one another? Where is God in the midst of such hatred and violence, such greed and selfishness?
But the angel of the empty tomb assures us: Don’t be afraid. God walks among you in those who have dedicated their lives to the work of peace, who empty themselves of their own wants and needs in order to bring consolation and hope to others, who work tirelessly to tear down walls of bigotry and build bridges across the divides of race and culture and class, who find their joy seeking joy for another.
God lives, the angel assures us. God goes to meet you. Look – and you will see God.
I close. Overwhelmed by the tragedies and devastation that surround us, we can become mired in a Good Friday mindset: We shake our heads and wonder how God the almighty Creator of all things can let such evil befall this world. But Easter calls us to realize a much different vision: God is not to be found in the tragedies that befall us or the evil that entraps us; God is found in the love, compassion and forgiveness God raises up in the hearts of those men and women whose lives reflect God’s presence in our midst. God has raised up his crucified Son, who walks among us in all that is good and right and giving, in everyone and everything that transforms our world from darkness to light, from despair to hope, from death to life. On this Easter morning, may the stones of hurt and cynicism be rolled back from our hearts and spirits, enabling us all to behold the Risen God before us.
Let us stand and profess our faith in God – alive and among us.

FatherRon.com » 4-4-2010

Easter – God Alive And Present – Where? 4-4-2010