Practicing Resurrection Step 1

Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord" John 20. 18

In a magnificent Easter sermon yesterday, the Reverend Scott Brown suggested that the five most important words of the Easter gospels are "I have seen the Lord." In conversation after the sermon, Scott asked the parishioners what that statement might mean to them. My response was to ask "how, when, where, what, why?" What has happened in us when we can say "I have seen the Lord?"

In many churches and Christian traditions, the first words spoken on Easter Sunday are "Alleluia, the Lord is Risen!" and the automatic response is "The Lord is Risen Indeed. Alleluia!" Perhaps this call and response could be known as our Easter shibboleth...It's a way that you know you are a Christian of a certain era who has seen and known the Risen Lord.

As I live into my commitment to practice resurrection, I will remind myself of Scott's question daily...what do I mean when I say "I have seen the Risen Lord?" Where along my journey do I see evidence of the glory of God in and around me, and how can I respond in a way that is evidence of resurrection? Any ideas?

Donald Jackson, The St. John's Bible.All images courtesy of Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota. Copyright 2002.