COVID 19 Pandemic Prayer

Our core belief: “… Jesus … truly died … lost his life … was transformed by the power of God, and given renewed life, new corporeal bodily life.” [“The Bones of Jesus: Bodily Resurrection & Christian Faith, Father Senior, CP Origins, March 20, 2008]

A few years ago, America Magazine published an Easter story that was, then, and still is today one of my favorite Easter stories.  A boy named Mike who had learning limitations, attended his parish’s Sunday School.  He was in second grade and during the Easter Season the teacher asked the students bring something to class that represented Easter [represented new life].

 

Our core belief: “… Jesus … truly died … lost his life … was transformed by the power of God, and given renewed life, new corporeal bodily life.” [“The Bones of Jesus: Bodily Resurrection & Christian Faith, Father Senior, CP Origins, March 20, 2008]

 

A few years ago, America Magazine published an Easter story that was, then, and still is today one of my favorite Easter stories.  A boy named Mike who had learning limitations, attended his parish’s Sunday School.  He was in second grade and during the Easter Season the teacher asked the students bring something to class that represented Easter [represented new life].

 

Students brought in flowers, small blades of grass, branches from trees and bushes.  Mike brought back an empty egg.  When the students showed their discoveries with the class they oohed and aahed.  Then, Mike showed his empty egg, the students giggled, the teacher asked Mike how the empty egg represented Easter, and Mike said, “Jesus rose, the tomb is empty.”

“Jesus rose, the tomb is empty.”  

Several months later Mike died, each child from his class came to his funeral and put an empty plastic Easter egg in his casket because one day his tomb would be empty too!  One day our tombs will be empty, may that thought help sustain during this COVID 19 Pandemic.

In the Acts Peter said to His audience “…you will receive the Holy Spirit.”  And indeed, they did, and the Spirit guided them. Christianity is a Way of Seeing! 

Mary initially didn’t recognize Jesus because His risen body was transformed, in His new “corporeal bodily life”, transformed ---- gives us HOPE for eternal life.  In many of the Easter stories Jesus’ disciples to recognize him the nature of the Resurrected body isn’t resuscitation, it is glorified.   

“It isn’t restoration to our former life, but a quantum leap forward into a new life….  It was transformed; it was glorified.  Paul likens the body before resurrection to seed and after the resurrection to a plant.”  [Mark Link, p.123]

 

During this Pandemic recognizing Jesus is difficult, let’s try recognizing Him in the good of the people around us.  Let each of us continue on our journey seeing, hearing, & loving Jesus!

May God be Blessed!

Thank you, Brother Mickey, for reminding us that our lives are changed temporarily, and we need to live this time for the Lord, standing in line or staying at home.