“Instructions for Living a Life”
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.
from "Sometimes" by Mary Oliver,
in Redbird
In other words, witness. The Season of Easter is a span of 50 days of witness to the Resurrection that lead to Pentecost and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit on all people. During this season we share stories of the disciples encountering Jesus in the midst of their grief, fear, and emptiness. Last week in the story of Thomas we witnessed a coming to belief in presence and breath of the Spirit. This week we meet two disciples on their way to Emmaus, still dazed at what has occurred in and since crucifixion, trying to make sense of it all, when Jesus comes alongside them.
Again and again we learn how important it is to experience Christ’s presence in one another and in creation around us, and further to share that with one another. We too long for, hope for, an encounter and sense of presence of the Living Christ in order that we too can proclaim with Thomas, “My Lord and My God!” and to experience with the disciples our eyes opening in recognition of God’s presence.
Poetry is a doorway to witness and proclamation. I return again and again to the words of Mary Oliver who so artfully brings together the witness of life in creation and one another. In her poem “Messenger” she writes:
My work is loving the world.
Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird
equal seekers of sweetness….
Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?
Am I no longer young, and still not half-perfect? Let me
keep my mind on what matters,
which is my work,
which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished….
which is gratitude to be given a mind and a heart ..
telling them all, over and over, how it is
that we live forever ….
Pay attention; be astonished; tell about it! Join us in worship this week!
Pastor Pat
