Date: 06 Apr 2001
Time: 14:57:53
I have an idea for Easter and could really use some help. We have had four deaths during Lent. It has been a long, sad Lent for my church. Often at the funerals we have sung "In The Garden". Because that hymn is really an Easter hymn based on this gospel reading for Easter--Mary in the garden....I had the thought of singing this hymn to a different familiar but JOYFUL tune...My thought was that as we sang that hymn in a new way, we might have a new insight into the hope of resurrection. I know this is risky..playing with such a dearly loved hymn ! I do not want to have to teach a new tune on Easter (besides my organist would not appreciate it at this late date. I have no musical abilities and already tried to find the tune name and track something that way..No luck. Has anyone every tried this ? I am really looking for something JOYFUL not draggy...I would love and appreciate some help. v.roberts.toler@snet.net
Date: 09 Apr 2001
Time: 13:31:07
v.roberts -
I hope you check back. I AM a musician and I can assure you that there are other ways to make things joyful without changing the tune.
Can you ask your organist to play it oh-so-very-softly and have the choir (I'm presuming if you have an organ, you have a choir) sing it, or have the people sing it, seated, just prior worship as something of a meditation?
I once sang "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" prior to a Tennebrae service. It worked well and I didn't alter a thing from the tune or the words we know as coming from the Christmas season.
revo in ga.
Date: 09 Apr 2001
Time: 20:31:39
Note first of all what it is that John believed: it was not that Jesus was raised from the dead, but rather that his body had been taken from the tomb. It is to Mary that Jesus first reveals himself as risen. This would not have satisfied the disciples, who believed - as all Jews of their time - that the word of a woman was not trustworthy (it was not allowed as testimony in court!). At his birth, the first to have it revealed are shepherds - also considered untrustworthy. That is what god does - he takes those who are considered nothing, and reveals himself through "the least."
there are a couple of common problems with the text - why Mary does not recognize Jesus (as well as those on the road to Emmaus, later on), and his telling her not to hold on to him. Neither is really explained. One way to approach this text is perhaps by asking whether we recognize Jesus in those who are "the least" - the least credible witnesses to the resurrection? It is easy to see him in some, but do we see his presence in the unmarried mother, the homosexual, the beggar at our gate, those in prison, and on and on .... We might even ask the other difficult question about "holding on" to him: what preconceptions and misconceptions about him do we cling to, that keep us from seeing him in the "least?" Do we think that he is only for the righteous - that is the only place where we see him? Or in the just? Do we think that Jesus belongs to the church only? Is he not also the Jesus who dwells in the slum and who hangs around on street corners - don't we have to go there to meet him as well? The writer of Hebrews says that Jesus' ascent was so that he might interceed on behalf of his people - becoming their great High Priest. Perhaps her not touching him (remembering that, in John, Mary was a figure for the church), meant that the church could not touch him until it recognized him as high priest - the one who interceeds in behalf of all the outcasts, the "least" of our world.
Just a few shots across the bow!
Gary in New Bern
Date: 09 Apr 2001
Time: 20:45:14
HELP! I am truly a D.P.- Am baptising on Easter and am looking for a related story, anecdote, illustration, etc. that ties together Easter and baptism- oh, I know, the first confirmands were prepared and baptised on Easter. but is there a good analogy today? revruth
Date: 09 Apr 2001
Time: 22:13:10
Easter is about the problem of death, not just for a few but for all of us. That is it’s real power. Sing in the Garden the old way and then move on to a hymn like “ I know my Redeemer lives” and dare to believe in the power of the Resurrection. One day Katie Luther found Martin Luther depressed as he often was and asked who died if God had died. He replied “God isn’t Dead.” "Well, live like it and act like it." She said. It is time that we act like the resurrection makes a difference in our lives and world.
And it is baptism that makes this a reality according to the Apostle Paul in Romans 6:3-5 “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”
Easter is a traditional day for Baptisms. JB in MB
Date: 10 Apr 2001
Time: 14:55:41
revruth, There is a story of Sonia's baptism that may work in a book called Gifts of Many Cultures. It is of a baptism of a child in a river by a group of exile people. I will type it in here if you think it is a possiblity. The book is reproducable recognition is given. Here is a little bit of it. It was sixo'clock in the morning on February 28,1983. We found shelter by the side of a creek in at deep ravine. We had been walking since the 25th fleeing the bombing. On the afternoon of the 25th , a 250 pound bomb killed a woman who was crrying her bayb gir. The father pulled his tow month old daughter froom the dead mother's arms and had been carrying the child for the last three days. We gathere in the shadow of the trees to baptize the infant. Jose, a seminarian, spoke: " We are going to participate inone of the most beautiful acts of our Church- baptism. We will give a name to this little girl who three days ago lost her mother. Christianity has humble origins. But Christianity has been betryaed because at times the Chruch has been, and still is, characterized by weatlh and pomp. (story goes on they baptize the little girland they say the Lord's Prayer on behalf of all children. ) Talks about the community This happened in El Salvador. It might be pretty heavy and actually fit the Acts passage bettter. NC-Wi
Date: 10 Apr 2001
Time: 18:40:03
REVRUTH Check out the previous discussion (Under the word "Contributions:" There are some postings which tie Jesus calling Mary by name to being baptized and bearing the name of Christ. I am also celebrating baptism this Sunday and plan to use Isaiah 43:1-4 "I have called you by name and you are mine..." I may make my meditation/sermon in the form of a letter to the ones being baptized. Reminding them that they bear the name of Chrsit and also the name Beloved (from Jesus Baptism) I also came this forum looking for help in tying together baptism and Easter. And as often happens on this sight received an Ahhaa! THANK YOU ALSO TO NAIL-BENDER for your story in the previous discussion. Once agian I ahve been moved to tears by one of your stories. Thank you all. Lois on the border
Date: 12 Apr 2001
Time: 15:03:33
Like others who have written, we have had several deaths in our church lately. There is much active grieving going on, but mostly in secret. Some of those I talk to say they are "Holding On."
That is a powerful phrase. We all need something to hold on to. Have you ever had an experience wounded your relationship with God or cause it to fade away?
Mary Magdalene just had her faith dashed. This woman from whom 7 demons had be exorcised, who participated in Jesus ministry, who had made an appeal for Jesus, who had come to annoint his body, a faithful follower who in Jesus had found someone or something to live for, was now at a loss. It was all gone. The tomb was empty. And empty tombs never induce faith.
Would her memory of Jesus, her experiences with him just fade away as well. Was none of this real? Would this invalidate her faith in God altogether? Mary needed something to hold on to, just as Thomas needed something to touch.
Is there anything that we have to hold on to? When the lillies have faded, the eggs all found, and candy all gone; when a loved one in whom we found meaning and security dies or a disease hits in a way that changes much of who we thought we were, is there anything that we can hold on to? The tomb is so empty!
I can think of at least 3 things (imagine that) we can hold on to:
1 God's Word. Two angels came and spoke to Mary in the presence of emptiness. The risen Jesus spoke to Mary, calling her by name. When asked where Jesus had risen, the early church said, "He has risen in the word." Even Mary would speak the word to the disciples, becoming the first post resurrection preacher.
Through the power of scripture and the word we share with one another, the risen Christ addresses us and our condition. Through the Word (the presence and revelation of the risen Christ) we have something significant to hold on to.
2. Baptism. Baptism is something you can hold on to, an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace. Baptism is an indelible reminder of who and whose we are. It does not fade away when lesser vehicles of identification break down. Just a reminder of our baptism has the ability to fill much of the emptiness or meaninglessness caused by death and dying.
3. The Body of Christ. The Body of Christ can be a tangible system of support, something and someone to hold on to when our world is shaken or empty. Our caring for one another, our love in response to Christ's love is set free. That which would have taken from us the love of Christ, sealing him in a stone cold tomb, has been defeated. The stone rolled away. He is risen! And his love for us is risen. And our love for others is risen!
I heard the story of the young man competing in the special olympics. He was running in one of the track events, maintaining second place. Then the first place runner tripped and fell, and the young man found himself in first place. His friends and supporters cheered him on, standing now and clapping. Then, suddenly he stopped, right in the middle of the race with all the fans screaming him on. He stopped, went back to the fallen runner, took his hand and helped him up. Soon another runner came and took another hand. Before it was all over, every runner was holding the hand of another, and they crossed the finish line together victoriously.
I pray each of you have an inspiring Holy Week and victorious Easter! Fred in LA
Date: 12 Apr 2001
Time: 16:40:41
As others have noted, Death takes no holiday, even near Easter. We were touched by death(a family member of a church member)just this week. I am struck by this endless repetition of death and grieving when I read this text. Another Mary at another tomb. Wouldn't Mary Magdelene(surely Peter and John would)remember Lazarus' tomb and his sister Mary's weeping outside it? Shouldn't that story have given hope? But, just as Martha had complained to Jesus," If you had been here my brother would have lived", so Mary Magdelene couldn't fathom Jesus raising Jesus, if Jesus were dead. It reminds me of the joke definition for "minor surgery"; That's what OTHER people have. So, too, with death. When it touches me, it's terrible, even if recently I consoled someone else in their grieving. Even with Lazarus' reviving as testimony, here is another Mary, another tomb, and 2000 years later, millions more. Is anybody ready, like Martha, to call God's hand? "Sure God, my loved one will live in the ressurection, but what about now?" Are we ready to hear, in Our grieving, Christ say,"I AM the ressurection and the Life"? Will we say with her,"Lord, I believe." Are we slowing Christ down by holding on instead of letting go and living joyously, victoriously, out of our trust that Jesus Christ IS the Ressurection and the Life?
On another, but not unrelated, note; When death comes near Christmas, Thanksgiving, a birthday or anniversary, These days are reduced in their joy, even for years to come. We say,"I wish it hadn't happened so close to the holidays." But I am glad to visit with the dying near Easter, and to pray,"Thank you God for ths season of Easter in which we celebrate Your final victory over death." Other holidays seem designed to take our minds off our troubles by masking the day in artificial joy. Easter looks right into the face of Death and spits, declaring,"The grave has lost it's victory. Death has no more sting! HA!" Now that's a holiday! tom in TN(USA)
Date: 13 Apr 2001
Time: 22:18:25
Regarding Baptism at Easter, or any other time. remember Martin Luther's statement. "The idea of Baptism is to kill the Old Adam in us. Kill him by drowning. -- But remember that the Old Adam is a powerful swimmer!" I read somewhere about one of the Early Church Fathers who baptized by immersion, by pushing the Baptizand under the water with his hand on their head saying: "In the Name of God the Father I kill you." Then he would raise them out of the water with the words: "In the Name of God the Father I make you alive!" [Repeating with in the Name of the Son, and then repeating with in the Name of the Holy Spirit.]
Have a blessed Easter Weldiger in NC
Date: 14 Apr 2001
Time: 04:12:10
Somewhere I read a story called "Resurrection Man" and now I can't seem to remember where I read it. Has anybody out there heard it or know where to find it? I would appreciate your help. Thanks!!
Ritla
Date: 14 Apr 2001
Time: 05:53:50
Yeah, Rita it was in this months journal from Homiletics. About a black slave who was bought by a medical school to dig up cadavers for medical research? Anyway that's the one I read.
Bryan
Date: 14 Apr 2001
Time: 11:11:55
Bryan Is it possible for you to do a brief summary of Ressurrection Man from the journal of homilectics. This would be of great help. Thank you in advance. Purnell
Date: 14 Apr 2001
Time: 12:42:43
Here's another thought for anyone doing a last-minute sermon. In verse 12, Mary sees two angels sitting at the head and the feet of the space once occupied by Jesus' body. In Exodous 25 :17-20, the placement of cherubim (angelic hosts) at either end of the mercy seat is prescribed for the construction of the ark of the covenant. In Ex 25:22, God tells the Israelites that the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim, is where he will deliver all her commands to the Israelites. Perhaps the parallel is completely coincidental, but I doubt it. The writer of John is here saying something about the mode of knowing Christ from now on - in absence we must see presence. This is why Mary is told she cannot hold onto Jesus.
James in Melbourne (Aust.)
Date: 14 Apr 2001
Time: 22:50:46
Nail Bender, I didn't read the story that Lois on the border was commending you for, she said it was from a previous posting. Would you please forward the story to me at revbiker@vnet.net, or post it again. I have enjoyed your stories in the past, and sorry I missed this one. EB in NC
Date: 15 Apr 2001
Time: 00:23:51
I suppose I have always felt "Mary" is all of us who stand outside the reality of the empty tomb. She, overcome with grief, is paralyzed and unable to enter in. It's not until Jesus speaks to her pesonally--calls her name--that she is able to experience the resurrected One. Then when Mary wants to "get up close and personal" she is confronted with the limits of her mortality. She has now experienced the immortal within the context of her mortal limits. Isn't God just like this. He only allows us the privilege of "looking through a glass darkly..."
Date: 15 Apr 2001
Time: 02:52:25
revruth: I'm on at the 11th hour, but, just in case you check back-- my sunrise service text, Romans 6:3-11, ties baptism to dying & rising with Christ. It connects the 2 events perfectly. Hope you get this. Happy Easter! Ken in WV