Reading: Mt:28:1-10 Easter/Year A
March 31, 2002
The Rev. Karen Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Episcopal Church, Cupertino,
CA
"Human beings suffer,
They torture one another,
They get hurt and get hard.
No poem or play or song
Can fully right a wrong
Inflicted and endured.The innocent in gaols*
Beat on their bars together.
A hunger-striker's father
Stands in the graveyard dumb.
The police widow in veils
Faints at the funeral home.History says, Don't hope
On this side of the grave.
But then, once in a lifetime
The longed-for tidal wave
Of justice can rise up,
And hope and history rhyme.So hope for a great sea-change
On the far side of revenge.
Believe that a further shore
Is reachable from here.
Believe in miracles
And cures and healing wells.Call miracle self-healing:
The utter, self-revealing
Double-take of feeling.
If there's a fire on the mountain
Or lightening and storm
And a god speaks from the skyThat means someone is hearing
The outcry and the birth-cry
O f new life at its term.
It means once in a lifetime
That justice can rise up
And hope and history rhyme."* gaols = jails
Today we celebrate that moment when "hope and history rhyme." This moment of hope is known as the Resurrection. It marks that time in history when life overcame death, hope overcame despair, light overcame darkness, and love triumphed over evil. 2000 years ago, the powers of this world that corrupt and destroy human beings tried to silence the voice of justice and compassion. In the person of Jesus, they saw one who challenged the conventional wisdom and power structures of society. Because they feared a "great sea-change," they put him to death when they could not silence his voice. "But then, once in a lifetime, the longed-for tidal wave of justice can rise up, and hope and history rhyme."
The death of Jesus did not silence his voice. In fact, his voice only became louder. After his death, his followers continued to experience his words, works, and spirit such that their lives were transformed and they began to boldly proclaim the gospel. Jesus' message of love, peace, justice, inclusivity, forgiveness, generosity, mercy, and compassion exploded into the universe such that there are now 2 billion followers who claim to follow this path of love and truth. Out of the ashes of destruction, a new creation began. Like a grain of wheat that dies and falls into the ground only to bear fruit once again, death brought new life.
This week is the 22nd anniversary of the martyrdom of Oscar Romero. Romero was an archbishop in El Salvador. After the torturous killing of two of his priests, Romero became a prophetic voice for the poor, for human rights, and for the dignity of every human being. He spoke the truth, challenged the political powers of the day, and like many great leaders who have fought for truth, Romero was assassinated. Before he was killed, he preached a sermon in which he said: "I must tell you as a Christian, I do not believe in death without resurrection. If I am killed, I shall arise in the Salvadoran people." And arise he did! His life was taken, but his voice could not be silenced. Romero became a beacon of hope in a country ravaged by poverty, injustice, and sorrow. The powers of this world that corrupt and destroy the creatures of God could not silence his voice. His words, works, and spirit continue to live on.
We are currently experiencing a world where life is tenuous and scary. The situation in the Middle East is explosive. There, the dominant voices are fear, hurt, anger, frustration, revenge, destruction, and fundamentalism. The temptation for us, is to lose hope and to retreat in fear. But Easter is about believing that extraordinary things can happen. So "hope for a great sea-change on the far side of revenge. Believe that a further shore is reachable from here." While we cannot personally stop terrorism, we do have the power to sow seeds of hope and peace in our own back yard. Every time we speak the truth in love, every time we stand up for justice, every time we defend life, every time we serve those in need, every time we offer healing to those who suffer, we proclaim the voice of Jesus and celebrate the feast of the Resurrection. And it is in these moments of action that hope and history rhyme.
As you leave this church sanctuary on this Holy Easter Morning, notice the sign that has been nailed over the door. It says "Servants' Exit." This is our vocation as Christians- to be servants and healers in a world that is torn by strife, suffering in pain, and longing for that healing touch of compassion. We are the voices of the Resurrection! Whenever we act out of our vocation as servants and healers, we are creating that moment when "hope and history rhyme."
Alleluia Christ has risen! The Lord has risen indeed, alleluia!
| Updated 4/1/02 |
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