What I’m Thinking: Easter Wonder

Is it possible to be surprised by the Easter story? Probably not: When Mary and her companions go to the tomb, we know what to expect. The empty tomb, the angelic messengers, the very figure of Jesus mistaken for a gardener hold no surprise.

Can we, perhaps, cling to Easter’s wonder?

Here’s a transcript:

I’m thinking first of all how grateful I am to be wearing this lei as I’m recording “What I’m Thinking” this week. This lei was presented to me in worship on Palm Sunday in honor of my first anniversary as pastor of Church of the Holy Cross. And my goodness, what a joy it is, it has been, and what a joy I anticipate it will be as the years turn into years turn into years.

But I’m also thinking: This is the Day of Days this coming Sunday, of which Palm Sunday is merely a preview, a “look out for coming attractions” kind of event. This is Easter Sunday.

Isn’t it amazing how, over the centuries, we’ve managed to put the surprise of this day at arm’s length? We expect the disciples to find an empty tomb when they go there. We expect the disciples to find the angels to give them messages. We expect that Mary Magdalene will see a gardener and mistake him for a gardener – when of course the gardener is Jesus.

Is there a way to recapture the surprise of Easter? 

I don’t know.

I’m not even sure it’s important: as long as we do appreciate the wonder, the joy, the power of that day, which has given us so many other days filled with wonder, filled with joy, filled with comfort in the midst of trial, filled with hope when we might succumb to despair.

So, what I’m thinking this week: I’m thinking of Easter wonder, Easter hope, Easter promise, Easter joy for us all.

That’s what I’m thinking. What are you thinking? Leave your thoughts in the comment section below! I’d love to hear from you.