"Why do you look for the living among the dead?"....
I recently read an article about our Easter message. I would like to share with you a thought from the article that reflects on Luke's Gospel. "Easter is what breaks that feverish human cycle of searching for life in things that are dead." (say it a few times to yourself). What an amazing statement! Easter is our time to ask ourselves what are we trying to resurrect in our human lives that is clearly dead and why do we continue to push the envelope and try to make it come alive instead of believing In God's great plan.
Our lives are full of dead things living in our midst. When they are dead, (material items, plants, cars, wardrobe, etc... that is we throw them away. Seemingly we don't mind. We have no use for things that are no longer useful or broken. Society tells us we should live clutter free.....Yet, many times we actually do not do this for a variety of reasons. Why do we continue to look for life in things that have no life in them?? Hmmm. It is indeed the question of all questions to ask this Easter season. I have often posed a similar question to my friends, but mostly I continue to ask myself, when necessary, "why do we keep trying to force two puzzle pieces together that do not fit?". Move on and find the piece that works. The piece intended to fit. The way God intends it to be for us.
Do we do this because we are afraid of loss? Need an immediate answer? Don't want to keep waiting? Do we do it out of fear of what God really has planned for us? Fear of the unknown? We tend to cling to our human faults and needs that keep us living with dead searching for the life we want...but really, can ignoring this message bring us the life we look for? Can worn out friendships, behavior, or abuse bring the life we seek in the Easter message? How about making or needing more money? The bigger home? Needing the things in life to keep up with our neighbors?
What transformation through the resurrection are we looking for if we are unable to view the resurrection for what it is? This is the beauty and simplicity of this 2000 year old message we cannot forget. We cannot be transformed through old tiresome ways. Our ways. Jesus was here to live and die for us to teach us a new way of faith and belief. And it wasn't easy. It still isn't.
This week at Emmanuel Day School we performed a Passion Play. My students are always very prepared for Holy Week and the Easter season. This year was not an exception, only in the sense that I recently chatted with an acquaintance who asked me about how much children at the preschool level could understand about Holy Week. I knew that they knew much about what happened..they had the "facts". But did they get the message? Well. my transformation began to happen on Thursday of this week. I awoke in the morning with the thought of needing to re-enact Jesus' final days. I knew the kids would love it- and perhaps take something away to remember and contemplate as the weekend continued... maybe forever.
At our Morning Meeting I told the children this is how we would spend the better part of our morning. Did they want to? "YES!!!" was the overwhelming response...I will not tell you about casting roles and set designs but I will leave you with my transforming moment(s)....
The first one...not one child readily wanted to play Jesus! Not one. "Jesus...you know, the star of the play????", My response!!! (Most 4 and 5 year old want to be the lead character of any production.) I was astounded. We all sat there. And I thought "Hmmm.... Who really wants to be Jesus is right?" That made me know, they knew the story thoroughly. Then a tiny hand raised above the crowd. A small in stature Pre-K'r stood up, "Michael". He said, "Miss Dawn, I will." It was moving and brave. The rest of the parts cast themselves almost instantly. What 5 year old boy wouldn't want to be a roman soldier? What girl wouldn't want to be the mother of Jesus? (I have to say our girl Pontius Pilot was a surprise and welcoming!) But...nontheless..no one wanted to be Jesus. This is when I felt the betrayal and abandonment by us all.
As the play progressed, (costumed and sets hurriedly put together), I was chilled at Jesus' Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem. Palms waving and villagers praising him. Only to be led to my second most pivotal moment of this week...the abandonment and the denial by his friends. This message hit home especially with me this Easter season. I felt Jesus' abandonment so strongly this week. I know the children were sensing the sadness as we began approaching each scene leading to the cruxifiction. First, Judas,then Peter's denial...then the rest of them hiding out in fear until after it was over. Only the woman remained by his side. Such desertion. To think you were facing your final hours and you couldn't even count on the very people you just spent the last 3 years living the Good News with. Faced with death and not a painless one. This poor man.
Jesus' hour came... (I think real tears were shed at the cross in our school)...and then it came... the transformation. Even though Jesus could have easily thought his friends were among the dead themselves, he knew that through his resurrection that they would be changed forever. Oh, it was like having read a great book that was made into a movie and your were excited about the ending. The children could not wait for Sunday morning. The angel was in the tomb and Mary Magdalene running down the path at dawn. The elation to find Jesus stunning and shining before her eyes. All of our eyes! The Living God was present right there among us! Jesus tells Mary to gather the hiding disciples to meet with him...
Well we know the rest of the story...Jesus meets with his friends and they are transformed to change their ways. Be courageous...tell the story of hope and renewal. They are met with a conversation that takes place between Jesus and Thomas, (our doubter), about believing. Well- Thomas isn't present during the first appearance. He does not believe that Jesus' transformation, overcoming death to life, is possible... he was "absent from school" that day. He still wants to find the dead among the living. I wonder about the students who were absent on Maundy Thursday- the day of the play. Like Thomas, I wonder if their absence (for whatever reason), is causing them to doubt and not be able to detect what is living among the dead...who will need to see to believe? As a teacher I am sorry for those who didn't make roll call that day...just as Thomas did not make his role call to say "Here!" Fortunately, Jesus gives us new and transformed life each time we receive his sacrament, or pray as a group in his presence. Every Sunday is Easter is what I tell the children. My thought and Easter message was, "What happens when we are absent?" Not choosing to be a part of Jesus' transformation?
What happens is simple. We continue to look for the dead instead of what is living? We continue to live our way, instead of God's way. Yes, it was not easy. No, not one one of us would want to play the role of Jesus...but fortunately, we do not have to! Jesus has gone ahead and done that for us! Stop looking for the dead among the living...and embrace the Easter message! Believe... Remember it only took Jesus 3 days...it is never too late!
Happy Easter,
Miss Dawn
Monday, March 24, 2008
"Why do you look for the living among the dead?"
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Partner Parish in Episcopal Life News
Fr Terry emailed this article to me this afternoon. A happy reminder of our visit by the Stompers and our second-line parade around the block (twice!).
In New Orleans, St. Anna's procession marches to a different tune this Palm Sunday
In Episcopal churches across the United States, adults and children will carry home palm leaves, or small palm crosses, as a reminder of the event described in all four gospels when Jesus entered the city, riding on a colt and "the most part of the multitude spread their garments in the way; and others cut branches from the trees, and spread them in the way." (Matthew 21:8. ASV).
At many churches, members with their palms will walk in procession around the building before entering it for the service. The congregation of St. Anna's Episcopal Church in New Orleans will celebrate this date according to its own custom.
As a New Orleans tradition bearer and post-Katrina host to the "Mission to Musicians," the little stone church on the grand avenue of the Creoles will "second line" in a Palm Sunday tribute. Leading the way will be one the city's most famous brass bands, the Storyville Stompers.
"Traditionally, a 'second line' follows a funeral as dancers and revelers follow brass bands from a cemetery," said the Rev. William Terry, St. Anna's priest. "So, St. Anna's uses that language. We play jazz as we walk from the church into the French Quarter, then proceed through another old neighborhood called Marigny, then back to the church via the Treme."
The procession, led by the priest and the Storyville Stompers, will wind through old neighborhoods and city streets. The brass band was the first band to play at St. Anna's Mission to Musicians, a collaborative effort that offers resources and care to musicians and residents alike. Started two years ago, in the first six months it served 1,390 dinners (musicians and artists eat free) and gained employment for 124 working musicians through grants and donations. It has three components: a mental health and wellness clinic in collaboration with Tulane Medical School and Daughters of Charity, a Rite II worship service with anointing and healing, and a community supper, concert, and jam session.
Since Katrina, the band members have played at other Episcopal churches, such as Emmanuel Church in Newport, Rhode Island, and St. Mark's Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, always spreading the word about the New Orleans recovery efforts since the hurricane did its damage, flooding much of the city. Last year they played for Episcopal bishops who met for a week in New Orleans and participated in a work day by rehabilitating damaged houses.
The little church of St. Anna's has also garnered national attention with its "Murder Board" listing the names of all persons in the city who have been murdered since Katrina. In addition, the Diocese of Louisiana and St. Anna's continue to provide free medical care, including mental health practitioners, to the underinsured and uninsured during the city's continuing medical crisis.
Terry, who notes that the church was named 'Innovator of the Year' in 2007, says parishioners also work hard to keep cultural traditions alive, including its partnership with the New Orleans Musicians Clinic and providing a venue for them to play. "As we say, all are welcomed -- none are shunned," he said.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Emmanuel, A Place to Call Home
Dear Friends,
Recently at our March EDS Open House Registration for Sept'08 I had the pleasure of meeting and speaking with many people from the Newport community. They came in to see EDS, and our church on a very stormy Saturday morning, (you'll be happy to know most signed on before leaving). I spoke of curriculum, toured the facility with them, allowed them to pick the teacher's brains for awhile. I met deeply passionate folks who embrace our academic environment so tightly. and others who have heard how committed we are to nurturing our young friends. I met with a strict orthodox family who came to visit us from DC. Local families who have heard nothing but the greatest reviews of EDS from the community. I also heard a very warm and yet disturbing story about a military family that I now want to share with you.
A lovely couple in their late 20's early 30's come to visit EDS. They are friendly and unassuming. Mom is expecting her second child. Mom and Dad come in and tour. They ask questions and then ask to speak with me about our overall program and availability for the Fall. I sit down with them and begin to ask about their lives. I immediately detect an accent indicating, "out west" to me. I notice a few outward physical appearances on dad and immediately sense, a serviceman of some sort. So I inquire where are you folks from? No anwser..readily...we change subjects and then they tell me that an in law is visiting and minding their daughter, whom will begin in Sept. I try to skirt my initial question and rephrase it..trying to be friendly and welcoming and talk about traveling..which is one of my favorite topics! Still evasive. But they are lovely...one of the nicest families I have met in some time. We "sign-on" as I say...and I give them my soliloquy about receiving their welcome packet in August...enough said. I shake their hands extend my thanks and then I am hit with the "confession". I am asked by dad if he can be honest with me...he clearly couldn't leave without this piece. So, of course I turn and assure him him that I am listening. I am concerned now..thinking, "what have I missed?" He then states, "Dawn, I am in the military." So...I am now waiting for the "......" moment, and then nothing! He is just staring at me. I said, "Great. I love military families". He remains panic-stricken. "Is that going to be okay with you?" Now, I am floored. I assure him that this is wonderful and where were we going with this? He states..."Your competition gave us a terrifically horrid time in trying to register our child when we first arrived here in Newport". They don't want military." Outrageously, I retorted..."My father served our country for 30 years before his retirement. I cannot believe that someone would turn away the very people that let us sleep peacefully at night." He says, "So you don't mind..really?" "Mind..I say..Military families are one of the best customers we have at EDS! I cannot believe, that happened to you, and I am sorry....You have come home now!" They smiled at me ear to ear in relief. All I could think of was Mary and Joseph finally finding shelter after being turned away so many times in Bethlehem.
What a lovely way to describe who we are at EC and EDS. Our table welcomes all. I was so proud of us that rainy morning. And I thought about how desperate some are for money and what they are willing to do, or say, in order to profit! You see military/war college families rotate about every year. I guess, the belief is that they are not a good investment because of that? I am not sure about the reasoning. One thing I do know is that they are kind and respectful! They read my handbook cover to cover. They love the education offered here.They applaud our patriotism and observances of cultures/religions around the world. They never step outside of the guidelines in that handbook. They do not fuss about the uniform...and they never "not know" what is going around here...because they read all material. They are in similar positions where the same matters apply. But most of all, they are just looking for a welcoming smile! A place to safely send their child to school and get the very best education. Aplace to worship during their stay in an old yankee town. They love our warmth and welcoming doors. Yes, they may not stay forever...but hey send their friends! What more could you ask? I have enjoyed the most wonderful experiences with our military families here at Emmanuel, both at church and school. I am proud to say that we are a friendly face and an open door to community that has committed themselves, and sacrifice themselves to help our country.
Isn't that what Jesus would have done? Welcomed the lonely, the unknown, the new kid on the block! We are truly living our Christian message here at EC and EDS!
Miss Dawn
