As I sat in my living room yesterday, looking out at new leaves on the lilac tree through the front window, sunshine bathing the lawn with the temperature reaching 76°, it finally felt like Spring! How appropriate, I thought—Holy Saturday and tomorrow Easter! It all felt so RIGHT!
Everything about this time of year speaks so eloquently of resurrection, of the life force within trees and plants, within the earth and our own bodies rising to meet the sun! And, interestingly, that same air is in the church this year as symbols of a harsh, cold and restrictive leadership model are deliberately laid to rest by our new pope in favor of a warmer, open and seemingly more receptive style of governance.
Weary people find reasons to hope in even the tiniest signs of Spring! There’s an almost palpable sigh of relief as light returns and the sun begins to feel warm again. People seem to feel lighter, freer, more open and hopeful. These feelings are reflected in the celebrations of Spring, and the religious holidays of Passover and Easter. This is what we celebrate, what we take time to notice and embrace today. Resurrection is the natural order of things. When we look at life through the spiritual lens of nature we see continuing cycles of birth, death and rebirth. Death and resurrection are built into the fabric of reality as we know it.
Jesus’ life, death and resurrection reflect that mystery imbedded in the natural world, but also raises our consciousness to the “higher realm” discussed in today’s second reading. It is a realm beyond what is “right in front of us.” We can only see it when we look deeper, beneath the surface that typically captures our attention and binds us to ordinary concerns. This “higher realm” can’t be seen with everyday eyes, can’t be touched or explained. It isn’t logical or rational. It doesn’t MAKE SENSE.