EASTER SUNDAY (C)	                     
	       
"Why Are You Weeping?"
by Linda Kraft

John 20:1-18	                                       
	
"Early on the first day of the week," we're told, "while it was still dark,
Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw the stone had been removed..." (Jn
20:1) And, now, not quite so early on the first day of the week in this very
modern world, you and I have come to see if what Mary discovered was true.
	
We suspect the truth of the resurrection, or else why would we be here?
You and I have been taught that Jesus, the baby born in Bethlehem, the
teacher, preacher and healer, the champion of the underdog and the Lord of
all nations – that same Jesus had been tortured, spat upon and nailed to a
cross, dying the death of a common criminal.  His body was removed from that
cross, laid in a cave-like tomb, and left for a couple days – days on which
his faithful followers were forbidden to properly prepare his body for
burial.
	
I say faithful because, like Jesus, Mary, Peter and all the people Jesus
ministered to strongly believed that God would send a Messiah, a Savior, a
"Son of David" to take them out of their misery and deliver them into a
glorious new life.  Not all Jewish people of that time held a belief in a
Messiah.  Some still clung to the Law of Moses in its most original form,
hoping to work out their own honor in THIS life by their strict adherence to
that Law.
	
Still, even though Mary Magdalene, Johanna, Mary the mother of James and
Salome believed God was sending a Messiah to overcome the Law, they still
honored the traditions they had been raised to observe.  So, they stayed
away from Jesus' tomb until the third day.  Then, as was the duty of women,
they walked outside the city walls to the burial grounds near Golgotha and
took the necessary spices and ointments with them so they could do their
duty.  They would cleanse, salve and perfume Jesus' body, re-seal the tomb
and wait a year until his bones could be collected and put into a stone box,
about 3 feet long by 2 feet wide and about a foot and a half tall.  They had
their minds all made up that they would perform this final ritual for their
friend, their teacher, their comfort and their hope.
	
Can't you see them that morning, walking through the dusky dawn, heads
down, lost in thought, mourning not only Jesus but also their hopes and
dreams.  There had been talk that Jesus of Nazareth might be the Messiah.
Some said he'd turn out to be the one God had sent to overpower the Roman
authorities and return Jerusalem and the surrounding countryside to the
Jews.  Their time of captivity would be over.
	
Some had said that when the Messiah came there'd be no more weeping in the
land.  All illness would be healed, death would have no power over God's
chosen people ever again.  Their fruit trees would bear bountifully and
their grain  fields would produce such an abundance that Israel would be a
mighty world power.  A lot of their hopes were pinned to their lives in this
world.  Just like us.
	
We're a lot like the people who walked those dusty roads with Jesus.  We,
especially here in America, hope that each day will be better than the last.
By some miracle, we think, we'll win the lottery – even if we never by a
ticket! – and we'll be able to pay off all the bills we've piled up, travel
to wonderful places, have perfect health, provide for a care-free future for
our descendants and loved ones, and – oh, yeah – put a little something
extra in the offering plate, of course.
	
Our hopes and dreams are very "down to earth."  And, yet, we come to church
on Easter Sunday to recall with other believers, and many doubters, a
miracle more powerful than winning the lottery ever could be.

Mary Magdalene was mourning on that first Easter day.  She couldn't
imagine – even though she'd been told repeatedly – that she would find
anything other than Jesus' body, moldering in the grave.  It took the shock
of seeing the stone rolled away from the grave to alert her to something out
of the ordinary.  Just seeing the stone moved caused her to panic.  She
didn't even go any further at first.  She turned around and ran back into
town to tell the others that Jesus' body had been stolen.  I wonder, did it
even occur to her that Jesus had risen from the dead as he had promised?
	
When Peter and the disciple Jesus loved followed Mary back to the tomb,
they didn't find Jesus' body, either.  And we're told that one of them went
inside and he saw and believed.  But, what did he believe?  Had he thought
Mary made up the story?  That's what one of the Gospel writers records.  Now
that he's seen with his own eyes that Jesus' body isn't where it's supposed
to be he believes...  what?  That Jesus' body is gone?  That Mary told the
truth?  That someone has stolen their Master's lifeless corpse?
	
John tells us that the disciples didn't yet understand the scripture, that
Jesus must rise from the dead.  And, they returned to their homes that
Easter dawn still mourning.  There was no joy in their discovery, only fear
and sadness.
	
Mary, too, was still distressed.  She stood weeping outside the tomb.  And
in her pain, in her confusion, in her grief, Jesus came to her and spoke her
name.  In that one word of recognition, realizing her Lord was present in
her suffering, Mary found great joy!  Jesus told her to spread the good news
of his new life, to tell others of God's eternal love and present
compassion.  And, so, she raced into Jerusalem to tell the disciples, "I
have seen the Lord!"; and she told them that Jesus had said these things to
her.

What does it take for us to believe in the new life Jesus offers?  Where
has Jesus walked up to you and spoken your name during this past year?  Has
it been
	- at the loss of a job?
	- at the end of a promising relationship?
	- at the diagnosis of a terrifying illness?
	- at the death of a loved one?
	- at the miscarriage of a child?
	- at the thoughtlessness of others?
	- at the fear of being who you were created to be?
	- at a heart-wrenching moment of decision?
	- at times of loneliness?
	- at uncertainty about the future?
	- at unthinking prejudice directed toward you?
	- at loss of physical or mental ability?

Where has Jesus spoken your name?  Have you been listening?  The joy of new
life in Christ is there for us.  At our baptism, God promised never to
abandon us.  In those waters, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and
of the  Holy Spirit, we were promised our Lord's constant presence, thorough
forgiveness, strength for every challenge and the joy of everlasting life
within God's embracing love.  What could be more joyful than this!
	
As you travel through life, ask yourself: "Why are you weeping?"  Don't you
understand the love your Creator has for you?  Don't you know the Lord walks
alongside of you?  Don't you remember the promises made to each of us,
children of God?
	
Today is a glorious day to recall the joy of that first Easter, to share
new life with each other here, to be sent into the world to proclaim God's
love for all people, and to take comfort in the reality that no matter what
challenges life has in store for us, we are not alone.  We are loved.  We
are cherished.  We are nourished by God's Word and the Lord's Supper in
order that we might tell others of the hope that lives within us.
	
Take courage.  Have hope.  God loves you.  Alleluia! Christ is risen!  He
is risen, indeed!  Alleluia! Amen.

Let us pray for the whole people of God in Christ Jesus, for all people
according to their needs:

Lord of All, you ordained Jesus as judge of the living and the dead.  All
who believe in Christ receive forgiveness of sins through his name.  Though
we try to live rightly, we fail; our joy is in knowing your forgiving love.
Make us bold to tell everyone we meet where our hope of eternity lies.  Lord
in your mercy, hear our prayer.  (Acts 10:34-43)

Almighty Creator, banish the sound of weeping and the cry of distress from
all lands and take delight in your people.  As you have promised, bring
peace to all places so that the wolf and the lamb shall feed together.
Inspire leaders of nations to make just and wise decisions benefitting all
who dwell within and outside their boundaries, and cause conflict to cease.
Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.  (Isaiah 65:17-25)

Risen Lord, you were the first fruits of those who have died, and by your
death and resurrection you promise us new life with you into eternity.  We
pray for all who mourn, that they may be comforted by your assurance of
everlasting life for all who believe this wonderful good news.  Lord in your
mercy, hear our prayer.  (1 Corinthians 15:19-26)

Steadfast Lord, we pray for your blessing on all who are in need.  Make us
your servants and help us to share the many blessings with which you have
entrusted us so that others will be able to say with us, "This is the day
theat the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."  Lord in your
mercy, hear our prayer.  (Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24)

Triumphant Lord, early on that first day of the week, while we still wept in
darkness you made yourself known to Mary Magdalene.  Your healing power had
changed her life.  We ask your healing touch on these, your children:

Are there others we should include in our prayers?

Lift them up and comfort them with your presence.  Lord in your mercy, hear
our prayer.  (John 20:1-18)

OR

Amazing Lord, your resurrection confounds us.  We cannot comprehend the
magnitude of your power, yet we ask your healing touch to come upon...
Are there others we should include in our prayers?

Help us to believe that all healing happens according to your loving good
will, and keep us always in your care.  Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.
(Luke 24:1-12)

Into your hands, O Lord, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your
mercy; through your son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Amen.

(Comments to Linda at Linda_Kraft@Ecunet.org.)
Linda Kraft, Pastor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Trumbull, CT