For Christians, the central event that defines our religious tradition will again be remembered and celebrated in just over a week - the death and resurrection of Jesus. That Jesus – believed by Christians to be God in the flesh, was killed as an insurrectionist, is scandal enough for some not to believe it. But to claim that Jesus, on the third day of being in a grave, lived again, is just too unbelievable for many. Who can believe in the dead coming back to life?
The popularity of the television series “The Walking Dead” may represent a fascination with a terrifying version of the dead living again. The walking dead are a lethal threat to those who are still truly alive. Part of the attraction may be the metaphorical question, are we walking dead or alive? And a question that I and it seems the show ponders is to what extent dehumanizing zombies justifies any violence against them. But I’m not sure this is a resurrection story and it is thankfully quite unbelievable.
The Bible’s stories of Jesus’ resurrection present a paradox. The resurrected Jesus seems to be the same flesh and blood human being who has physical scars and eats with his friends. And he is a spiritual presence that passes through locked doors to be with them. It all seems quite unbelievable.
Through the season of Lent, the 40 days not counting Sundays prior to Good Friday and Easter, the community of Church of the Cross that I serve has been reflecting on a different non-traditional spiritual practise each week. They have included the practise of being conscious of to what and why we say yes and no; the practise of questioning, from holy curiosity to careful examination; the practise of how and what we eat and drink; and the practise of caring for the body, our own and the collective body of humanity and the earth. This week we are considering the practise of resurrection. How do you practise the unbelievable?
Two Saturdays ago I had the chance to be with a small congregation of people, primarily mandarin speaking in a poor urban centre, considering their future together. The community has been through significant challenges and changes and is smaller than it once was. I was struck by the words people shared as they found their voices and expressed their hopes for their community and neighbourhood as followers of the crucified and risen Jesus. Even in translation, I could sense their hope in a new life together and with others. It seemed clear to me that they were practising resurrection.
A young man I have been visiting in hospital is a recent amputee. And for all of the struggle and loss that is for him, I see the new life he and those who love him are courageously imagining. I think he and they are practising resurrection.
An elder who has suffered an abusive past is working through pain that can still surface today. She speaks of how she finds hope in how these experiences have shaped who she is, and for that she is grateful. I said to her, “I think you are practising resurrection.” She smiled and said, “Yes, I think I am.”
If the resurrection of Jesus is the source of hope that at any moment life can arise out of loss and death, then I believe, individually and collectively we can practise resurrection together for a better world. And for me that makes Jesus’ and our resurrection entirely believable and full of life.
Rev. Lyle McKenzie is pastor of Lutheran Church of the Cross of Victoria and part-time chaplain in Multifaith Services at the University of Victoria.
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* This article was also published in the print edition of the Times Colonist on Saturday April 5, in the Faith Forum section.
