Luke 24: 1-12
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
Easter Sunday
April 21, 2019
But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they did not find the body. While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men in dazzling clothes stood beside them. The women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again.’ Then they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb, they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told this to the apostles. But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; then he went home, amazed at what had happened. - Luke 24: 1-12
That moment, so full of love and life, took a passionate turn. Just one hour later thousands gathered with tears as fire engulfed the 850 year-old Cathedral. All who hold cherished memories of love and life, worship and renewal, art and history, in one of the world’s oldest cathedrals saw something deeply personal suffer and die.
Through the exposed roof of the Cathedral the rising sun illuminated the large cross on the altar as a beacon of hope.
As the world mourns with Paris in grieving the loss of such holy and sacred space, Our Lady is still raising her voice from the center of Paris for all who have ears to hear. Her story of resiliency invites Christians and nonbelievers alike to behold the mystery and awe of God. Notre Dame’s tragedy is an Easter story: Because Jesus Christ suffered, died, and was raised to new life, death and destruction do not have the final word.
Our ladies in the biblical story of Luke had experienced the fullness of God’s love and life, worship and renewal through Jesus Christ. Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James the Lesser, and other women were within Jesus’ inner circle. These women not only provided for Jesus and the disciples out of their resources, but their lives had been completely changed by Jesus Christ (Luke 8:2-3).
Mary Magdalene saw her health fully restored by Jesus’ healing power. Joanna, the wife of Herod’s steward, was drawn to God’s coming kingdom over and against Herod’s. Mary, the mother of James the Lesser, saw God’s grace change her son’s life as they followed Jesus together. You know she was a proud mom!!!
And suddenly Good Friday came. The women’s very personal memories of God’s love and life with Jesus Christ seemed to be destroyed when their Lord and Savior suffered and died on the cross and was laid in the tomb.
And yet, on that first Easter morning at early dawn the sun began to shine into that tomb, for the stone had been rolled away. The women went inside and there, where death had laid for three days, light was now shining into the darkness. The empty tomb invited the women to behold the mystery and glory of God.
The angels brought a newfound hope; these women along with the disciples and all future generations would now be learning what the empty tomb means in the gift of faith. Our ladies from Holy Scripture continue to lift their voices to all who have ears to hear, for they were the first to proclaim the good news!
While the cross on the hill of Golgotha was meant to be a symbol of death, God raised up the cross, through Jesus Christ, as a symbol of God’s conquering love. God’s love will never forsake us for the Lord promises us resurrection, forgiveness, new life, and resiliency.
That is why we flower the cross every Easter Sunday in worship. It is an act of holy remembering. Our human nature needs something tangible in order to take the first steps of living into the hope of new life.
He was born Ramon Antonio Gerardo Esteves but the world knows him by his stage name, Martin Sheen. He has been married to Janet for over fifty years. Together they raised four children. He also has his demons as a recovering alcoholic. Martin once told his son Emilio, “Faith is deeply personal. If it’s not personal, it’s impersonal, and if it’s impersonal, who cares?” [1]
Catholicism has always been Martin’s anchor. Years ago while on a project in Paris, work came to a halt to observe a national holiday. When Martin woke up, he told himself, “Today is the day.” He walked three miles from the hotel to a church he had occasionally visited for Mass. His steps became a pilgrimage in the midst of a life transition.
Martin banged on the church doors with urgency and purpose. He waited and waited. As soon as he turned to walk back down the sidewalk, the large wooden door swung open and there was the Irish priest Martin had seen on occasional visits. He was holding a napkin in one hand and he was chewing. Clearly Martin had interrupted the Father’s lunch.
The priest said, “Yes, what is it?” He must have thought there was an emergency from the way Martin had been banging.
“Well, Father,” Martin said. “I’m sorry to bother you. But I haven’t been to confession in years and I’d like to come back to the church.” The priest’s eyes narrowed, and from his reaction, Martin knew he had come to the right place.
“Well, come back tomorrow morning at ten. And don’t be late.”
The next morning Martin walked into the church and he was the only one present. Martin entered the confession box and unburdened a heavy load from his soul. The priest listened patiently and offered some spiritual advice. Then the priest gave Martin a penance before absolution; “Say one Our Father” (say the Lord’s Prayer one time).
With shock Martin asked, “One Our Father?”
“Have you been gone so long that you can’t remember the Our Father?”
Martin said with a laugh, “No I remember it.”
Martin left the confessional booth and sat down in the pew to reflect:
“I had just confessed the whole truth about the past dozen years of my life and forgiveness was graciously granted without hesitation or judgment. God’s love was deeply personal. Gradually an overwhelming sense of freedom and familiarity consumed my whole being.
I had just taken the first step of a long, complex spiritual journey that would change my life. But I wasn’t focused on the future now, only on this transcendent moment. Sitting alone in that church I began to weep uncontrollably with tears of sheer joy.
I don’t know how long I sat sobbing in the pew, but eventually I needed to blow my nose. I felt around in my pockets for a handkerchief but came up empty. Then I saw a Kleenex on the floor. I will never forget how I felt to see that Kleenex. The simple gift of a tissue on the floor at my feet when I needed one filled me with a sense of gratitude. It seemed to assure me that from now on, all my needs would be met if I stayed on the course I had just begun.” [2]
When the brokenness of the world and within our hearts weigh heavy on our souls God’s Word tells us to remember this is not the end of our story. You and I are Easter people therefore, today we celebrate the truth: Jesus Christ endured the cross for our sakes so that we may not grow weary or lose heart (Hebrews 12:3).
On this Easter morning have courage to look into the world’s destruction and disappointment. Have courage to look into the hidden places of your own regrets, hurt and grief. And then listen for the still small voice of grace saying: “The Lord will not leave you here.”
Because Jesus Christ is risen, God’s steadfast love and faithfulness hold an eternal promise for you and me. We are promised the opportunity to live into the Easter story today and every day until we are called home and behold the glory of God face to face.
From the ashes of brokenness God promises to raise us up in the Lord’s strength. It is in these transcendent moments that we experience Jesus’ resurrection power. The cross and empty tomb embrace us in God’s love, forgiveness, and hope to face another day. Faith guides our steps towards resiliency.
The Easter story cannot be explained but simply proclaimed – “The One who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also” (2 Corinthians 4:14).
He is risen. He is risen indeed!
Today is the day – the first day to experience the Easter story changing your life!
Thanks be to God, who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Amen.
Sources Referenced:
[1]Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, “Along the Way: The Journey of a Father and Son” (New York: Atria, 2012), p. 392
[2]Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, “Along the Way: The Journey of a Father and Son” (New York: Atria, 2012), pp. 295-296.
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