I heard a phrase at church yesterday that really hit home for me: Suprised and Recognized. In his sermon, Bob noted that all of the men and women in the post resurrection stories were suprised by what had happened at the tomb. They were not expecting resurrection. It is true that as you read all of the resurrection stories in the Gospels, everybody to a person is suprised by what they find in the empty tomb, on the road to Emmaus, on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Bob then looked at all of us and asked, "Is anybody here today suprised by this story?"
He then went on to speak about how we recognize the living Christ, again comparing it to the Gospel accounts in the breaking of the bread in the Emmaus story; the community meal - breakfast - in Galilee; and encountering the empty tomb and remebering all that Jesus had foretold about this event. So faith is not about dogma or the articulation of a creedal formula. The example of the disciples in these post resurrection stories is their suprised reactions to the events and how they recognized the living Christ in them.
Suprised and Recognized.
Where are you surpised these days by God? Where is resurrection happening in your life or in the lives that are around you? Does anything suprise you these days? Or are you just going through the motions missing out on the new life that Jesus is empowering today?
Last night on 60 Minutes there was an inspiring story about faith, new life, and resurrection coming out of the ashes of war and death. The Kinshasha Orchestra of the Congo in Central Africa began some twenty years ago when a commerical pilot lost his job and decided to create an orchestra! There were no instruments. There were no musicians. No one could read music. The Congo is one of the poorest countries in the world with little hope and little peace. Yet, resurrection can happen where one least expects it and can suprise the world in its beauty.
I was a bit skeptical when a friend called me and suggested I watch this piece. But, from the first moment I heard the opening measures of Carl Orff's masterpiece "Carmina Burana", I was in awe of these 200 musicians and vocalists. Their commitment, faith and most importantly the joy in which they perform and how they live their lives in the midst of a war torn society is simply inspiring. "The Light shines in the darkness and the darkness does not overcome it" (John 1).
You can see the entire 13 minute segment by clicking on the link below. A shorter "tease", I was able to find on Youtube.
Joy in the Congo
Or here is the Youtube clip.
Love One Another - Brian
Mark 16:1-8
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so they could embalm him. Very early on Sunday morning, as the sun rose, they went to the tomb. They worried out loud to each other, "Who will roll back the stone from the tomb for us?" Then they looked up, saw that it had been rolled back—it was a huge stone—and walked right in. They saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed all in white. They were completely taken aback, astonished. He said, "Don't be afraid. I know you're looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He's been raised up; he's here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty. Now—on your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he is going on ahead of you to Galilee . You'll see him there, exactly as he said." They got out as fast as they could, beside themselves, their heads swimming. Stunned, they said nothing to anyone. (The Message)
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