Reading: Acts 2:22-24; Sam 9:9-14; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12; Luke 7:18-23

Good Morning this 4 Easter Sunday…Christ is risen…Christ is risen indeed

It’s a privilege to share some of what I heard as I meditated, thought and read about the scriptures for today – mostly using Wilda Gafney’s wonderful translations. The Acts passage she uses is only 2 verses out of Peters big Pentecost Sunday sermon. Here Peter is telling the Men of Israel…I’m sure there were women present. Peter told them that … Jesus of Nazareth was attested by God in your midst, with deeds of power, marvels and miracles that God did through him among you, it was…He who God raised up freed from the birth-pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held in its power.” As Paul wrote to the Corinthians…’Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

I’m pretty sure the biggest thing that most humans fear is death – even Christians. Leaving everything and loved ones behind for the unknown is very scary AND the resurrection proves that even death’s power was no match for the power of God which “freed Jesus from the birth-pangs of death” –  I’d like to thing that it’s the same supreme power in the reading from 2 Corinthians, it’s the treasure that Paul claims is in earthen vessels – in himself, and by implication that treasure, in the Corinthians and dare we believe that treasure, that supreme power is in us. I believe it is. 

“Now we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that this supreme power is God’s and not of us.” “treasure in earthen vessels”… I love that line. What is the treasure? What is that supreme power? In context it seems Paul was talking about the “light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” – that’s the verse just before our lectionary readings. I’m going to suggest that the “glory of God in the face of Jesus” is Divine, Resurrection Love. That exegesis should be no surprise for those who know me and my theological leanings.

So my main point this morning is the power which raised Christ Jesus from the dead, is the Love that created and sustains the universe … AND that Love, is the treasure, the supreme power which is in everyone, every human being, every earthen vessel. That’s what being created in the image of God means to me. The power of Love, that treasure is in earthen vessels – was in Jesus and is in you and me. And when that power raised Jesus from the dead Love proved it was stronger than death, stronger than fear, greed, prejudice, hatred – you name whatever seems to be dark powers in the world around us – whatever scares you the most, maybe more than dying. The Good News is that Love is stronger than it all. 

It’s the same supreme power, this power of Love, Peter and Paul are talking about which gave Jesus the ability to give sight to the blind, divine love was the power which enabled him to help the lame to walk, to cleanse the diseased-in-skin, to help the deaf hear, and raise the dead. The good news for the poor – according to Jesus – was no one was abandoned by Love. That was the message Jesus sent to his cousins John… the messiah, the chosen one is here – the proof being – all the love that’s happening. The one who loves unconditionally and healed indiscriminately is here.

Like the psalmist says… SHE WHO IS FAITHFUL is a strong hold for the oppressed, a strong hold in times of trouble. They trust you, they who know your name, for you do not forsake those who seek you REDEEMING GOD.

In a few moments we’re going to be invited to the table where we remember Jesus, his life, his death and his resurrection. And according to Augustine  “we become what we receive” By receiving Christ, we become one with Christ, both as individuals and communities. As we partake of the body of Christ, we are made into the body of Christ. We become what we eat and drink. So I guess We become like the resurrected Christ – resurrection people, Easter people. We’re obviously not resurrected, and Jesus did all those signs before he was resurrected…right. So the power of love was active in his life before he died and rose again. That’s good news for us and others.

SO when we eat and drink we become what we receive … it’s not like we really even have a choice. We have freedom of choice not to act like it anything has changed but I’m suggesting that if we choose to, we can act like Jesus, and that’s what makes us resurrection people. Easter people. We can act like we become what we receive – Jesus the now risen Christ.. 

That’s the reality folks … building on that idea – how does this sound. Living out of that treasure, that power, that Love, is what makes us Easter people, resurrection people. I know that you’ve all been wondering about what it means to be. I heard it a few times last Sunday and it stayed with me as I prepared for today. 

I’m going to end my homily talking briefly about how I see Grain of Wheat being a resurrection community and by extension each of us are resurrection people … cause the community is made up of us people … including online folk. We are resurrection, Easter people. We are the Church…Easter people.

If I had more time this morning I would facilitate an open discussion with folk here and online around the question of how we experience Grain of Wheat as a resurrection, Easter community – or as Wendell Berry says – how do we “practice resurrection” – I need to thank Rev. Dr. Charlene Cox’s blog for that line from Berry and other ideas for this homily. https://churchanew.org/blog/posts/char-cox-practice-resurrection 

And we don’t have the time now, so you all get to do it at home with family and friends during your Mother’s day celebration or you can come over to 834 Honeyman and we could chat about your thoughts over coffee or scotch.

How does Grain of Wheat practise resurrection? How do you practise resurrection?

These aren’t questions with right or wrong answers, right. And please don’t make it an intense critical personal examination. I see it simply as an opportunity to wonder how the power of Love is active in our community, in our individual lives. How we’re practising resurrection…not preforming perfectly – those who play music know the difference between practising and preforming. And it’s not a competition between people or churches. We’re all different and so will practice differently. Some may do somethings better than others but as Easter people we’ll encourage each other rather than judge. Right?

In a world that’s prone to practising war and genocide … Grain of Wheat has traditional found ways of practising peace and justice – practising resurrection.

In a world that seems to continue to promote discrimination, especially sexually – Grain of Wheat is affirming.

In a world that often ignores creation as it seeks for more … Grain of Wheat seeks to care for creation and the poor and acknowledges the need for reconciliation with the nations who were the first caretakers of this land.

In a world that often is antagonistic toward folk of different cultures and religions – Grain of Wheat seeks to be inclusive, welcoming all to the table of Jesus – practising His resurrection love.

Folks, it’s obvious to me that there are many ways we’re practising resurrection and encouraging each other to be resurrection people. Thanks be to Love.

I’m sure there are many ways that each of us personally practise resurrection…with family and friends. Good mothering is practising resurrection – IMHO. Thanks to all here who mother in your own way – people and creation. Hopefully my Mom is enjoying this Mother’s day and I’d like to believe that I’m contributing to that joy. I know I’m much more patient and kind with my Mom in these last few years…I’m attributing that to the power of Love, not my ability to will patience or kindness but a conscious reliance on grace and the power of love in this earthen vessel. I still need more practise before I get it perfect … especially if I’m tired or hangry or dealing with health issues – but it’s so much different than a decade ago and Mom and the mother of our children and myself are all grateful for the power of Love. I don’t think it’s arrogant to confess that I’m slowly becoming what I receive each Sunday at this table. And I’m sure so are each of you…thanks be to Love.

Let me close by reading some of that poem Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front by Wendell Berry, who is a 90 year old American poet, novelist, environmentalist – and I’ll call him a prophet too.

    “… So, friends, every day do something
    that won’t compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world. Work for nothing.
    Take all that you have and be poor.
    Love someone who does not deserve it.
    Denounce the government and embrace
    the flag. Hope to live in that free
    republic for which it stands. …“

Then he concludes with…

Practise resurrection

May Love grant us the grace to be open to receiving that resurrection power of love which can empower us to practise resurrection – to become what we receive.

AMEN