Wednesday of the Third Week of Easter
Sometimes the joy of the resurrection is harder to participate in when times get tough. When we are in the midst of tragic loss, or struggling through the pain a shattered marriage or friendship, or even journeying with a loved one who is near death, Easter joy might seem far away. We may not feel it, but these times are when the Lord is trying even harder to remind us of his desire to lead us to from death to eternal life.
Eternal life hardly seemed on the minds of those in early church as they were burying their brother Stephen. The lament of Stephen’s friends expressed deep sorrow over losing a powerful witness of the Lord. To make matter’s worse; Stephen’s executioner was going house to house in an attempt to destroy the church. It is a scene that might make us think of current war zones, where soldiers go house to house to clear neighborhoods of insurgents. Saul’s people did not carry guns, yet they were tenacious in trying to eliminate these radical believers.
As strong as the will of those who would destroy, the promise of Easter and new life only strengthened the resolve of these believers. This is much like those in Boston who refuse to let their lives be stopped by acts of terror. Showing that neither persecution nor terrorism can entomb those who truly believe. Philip continued to preach the word and the crowds paid great attention to him. They were bolstered by what they heard and the accompanying signs. Demons were expelled; the paralyzed and crippled were made whole. Most importantly they experienced “great joy.” Yet how could joy have been the consequence of suffering?
Joy and suffering would seem to mix like oil and water. Yet, Easter, teaches us otherwise. Death leads to resurrection. The gospel reminds us of the source of the connection between these two apparent opposites. Of course, the connector is Jesus.
John’s gospel reminds us that Jesus is more than manna. Jesus is the bread of life. The bread which becomes Body and the wine that becomes blood, making present the living sacrifice of cross. This bread of life is not just food for the journey; it is nourishment for the soul. This is why we call Eucharist the source and summit of our faith. It is in becoming what we receive, that we enter more deeply into the new and eternal covenant.
As the challenges of persecution present themselves today, stop and say a prayer that gives the suffering over to the God, who was able to change the sea into dry land. Allow the bread of life to transform your sorrow to great joy. So it was for the early Christians; so it can be for us both now and forever. Amen! Alleluia!
-Michael Montgomery