Pastor’s Pen for May 2011

The risen Christ, who walks on wounded feet from garden tomb through darkened city street,
unlocks the door of grief, despair, and fear, and speaks a work of peace to all who hear.
 
The risen Christ, who stands with wounded side, breathes out his Spirit on them to abide
whose faith still wavers, who dare not believe; new grace, new strength, new purpose they receive.
 
The risen Christ, who breaks with wounded hand the bread for those who fail to understand,
reveals himself, despite their ling’ring tears, enflames their hearts, then quickly disappears.
 
May we, Christ’s body, walk and serve and stand with those oppressed in this and ev’ry land,
till all are blessed and can a blessing be, restored in Christ to true humanity.
  – Nigel Weaver, Evangelical Lutheran Worship #390

Beloved of God,

Christ is risen!  Alleluia!  What a joy to utter these words once and ever more.  The tomb the women came to see is empty; the body they came to tend is gone.  What can this mean?  During the seven weeks of the Easter season we explore that question and its myriad permutations.  We hear how the risen Jesus came speaking “peace” to a disciple community huddled in fear.  We watch as the risen Lord companions two travelers on the road to Emmaus, opening the Scriptures to them and, finally, opening their eyes in the breaking of the bread.  We witness the transformation of a fledgling community proclaiming Christ’s resurrection and embodying the Way of life he taught.  And we ask, how will the resurrection of Jesus give shape and purpose to my life and to the life we share together in the community of faith?

The momentum for mission conveyed in Matthew’s final chapter and in Luke’s second volume—The Acts of the Apostles–testifies with bold, powerful strokes to the power which Christ’s resurrection and the gift of the Spirit unleash in the world.  On one level, these witnesses make the whole story of our faith’s founding sound automatic; as easy as falling off a log.  But a careful look shows us there is more to it than that.  For example, when Matthew tells how the eleven apostles gathering with Jesus in Galilee after his resurrection, he writes:  “When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.”  [Mt 28:17]  It would have been so easy for Matthew to leave out the part about “doubt,” but he includes it.  Why?  Perhaps in part to tell those of us who come to the story generations later that grappling with doubt comes with the territory of faith.

Nigel Weaver’s marvelous hymn (above) captures beautifully the process by which followers of Christ—both ancient and modern—come to faith.  Often enough it is through fits and starts.  Nonetheless, because of Christ’s faithful commitment to those whose “faith still wavers,” who “fail to understand,” God’s mission abides.

As we engage our RE/VISION process in earnest this month here at Peace, we do well to remember from whence the impulse to be about God’s work with our hands comes—ever and always from the Risen One.  You’ll note elsewhere in this edition some specifics about opportunities to join with other Peace people at specific “Listening Posts” which have been set up by the Re/Vision Task Force.  There are many new faces and voices in our congregation since the last Vision process in 2006.  We want to make certain all can bring their voices and ideas and promptings to one of these gatherings.  The greater the participation, the more authentic our process will be, and the better we’ll be able to articulate our call as a congregation to “walk and serve and stand” as servants of our risen Lord in a world in great need of hope, love, and healing .  Please check your calendar and sign up so that you will be able to participate in these important conversations as we develop our Vision for Mission for the coming 5-10 years.

Living in resurrection hope,

Pastor Erik

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