Earthquake, Eclipse,or Resurrection?! A Reflection for the Third Sunday of Easter

Have you noticed how we human beings get caught up in all the events we think are so important? But are these things really that important? Did our lives change dramatically because we experienced a solar eclipse or felt the aftershock of the earthquake? Probably not, although the doomsday peddlers among us wanted everyone to rush to gas stations and grocery stores in anticipation of the end times.

When we think about it, our lives have returned to normal fairly quickly. But with the continuation of the Easter Season, should we really return to the normal, everyday existence? Why hasn’t our encounter with the Risen Lord Jesus Christ outpaced the hype of the eclipse or the earthquake?

Do we think that rising from the dead is really and truly the cataclysmic event that changed the course of human history? Or have we become so inured to the fact of Jesus’ death and resurrection that we need to seek out new and thrilling events to occupy our time?

We may not need special lenses to see the beauty and the wondrous power of the Lord’s resurrection, but we definitely need the eyes of faith. Maybe that’s why it's difficult for us to be lost in wonder at this life altering event. Earthquakes and eclipses involve the senses. The promise of our own resurrection demands a faith that is not easily supported by our sense of touch, or taste, or sight.

Could this be the time to challenge ourselves to deepen our relationship with the Risen Lord? Do we have the temerity to confront our faults and failings so as to see beyond them to the awesome power of eternal life? Without seeing Him can we believe in Him? Without touching Him can we in fact touch Him, know Him, love Him?

Earthquakes come and go. An eclipse can in fact repeat itself every couple of decades. But the resurrection of Jesus and the promise of our own resurrection is truly a life altering, once-in-a-lifetime event because it is the eternal life event. The thrill of an earthquake, hype of an eclipse or the good news of the Resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ? It’s about time we Christians proclaim that which shall never pass away – eternal life with the Risen One.