Hope Abounds

Every year I connect to the story of death and rebirth in a different way and, this year, I am focused on the quiet presence of the ladies in the picture -- their mild reaction to the utter and complete destruction of the best human they ever knew.  Instead of rallying an army or throwing stones at His persecutors, they sit among the terrifying circumstances before them (i.e. death on a cross, rotting plant matter, still-uncomfortably chilly weather, disappointing "political leaders") and are able to see beyond what's apparent to the naked eye.  In the midst of a lingering winter, these women can feel the presence of the emerging New Life that is desperately waiting to pop up from beneath the shadows.  Though "they walk through the valley of the shadow of death, they fear no evil."

And when the resurrected Jesus returns, he reassures all of the disciples (and now us) that the belief and hopefulness in the emergence of Go(o)d is intricately connected to its ability to Spring forth, saying "blessed are those who believe and have not seen."  

To me, it feels like we are all in labor at the moment -- it's painful and wet and messy and disorderly.  But oh, how beautiful that baby is who is on her way -- can you feel her presence andbelieve in her coming even though you can't see her just yet?  Can you trust that through each contraction, we are one step closer to meeting our Beloved?  This week we come to the mat to "be still and know that (God is working)" despite what our naked eyes can see.