March 31, 2021
Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. – 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
In seven words, Paul invites the world in on something that is too good to be kept secret: “Listen, I will tell you a mystery!”
As we journey through holy week, there is no mystery about the forces that rally to oppose Jesus. When we see the Roman authorities condemn Jesus, there’s no mystery to us about people in power wielding power. When we remember how the compromised religious leaders conspired against Jesus, no explanation of corruption is needed—we’ve seen it before. And when Peter and the other disciples run from Jesus in fear, we recognize that impulse.
It is important to be aware of the powers in the world that oppose the life and love of God, but there is no mystery about them.
The mystery is that the power of God’s life is stronger.
The mystery is that Jesus meets the powers of evil and death with love, when he has every reason to meet them with hate.
The mystery is that the power of God raised Jesus from death, and the mystery is that God does the same for all of us. “We will all be changed…the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”
Holy week is a good time to practice the art of receiving mystery. It is all too easy to find reasons for sorrow and anger, but where are you finding the mysterious goodness of strength, mercy, love, and the power of God’s life?
Peace,
