Breathless?

Sometimes I’m speechless.  Often I’m breathless–such as when carrying a  load of laundry from the basement to the second floor.  Or after singing an especially fast and rambunctious show-tune.  Or when treading upon Lucy, the cat, in a dark hallway.   Sunday’s readings are well-told stories which talk about some people who’re REALLY breathless!

Most of us are familiar with Ezekiel’s vision of the Field of Dry Bones (37:1-14).  Zeke thought there was no way for these lifeless skeletons to be Real People again; but God called a Holy Wind (ruach”/spirit) to put breath into them — and they lived again!  The praise band will now sing, “the toe bone connected to the…foot bone, the foot bone connected to…now hear the Word of the Lord.”  It’s an analogy, said The Lord.  God’s People felt dried up, hopeless and cut off.  “I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you on your own soil; then you shall know that I, the Lord, have spoken and will act, says the Lord.”

St. Paul reminds the Roman Believers and us, their descendents, that even though Death and Despair are to be seen all around, God’s Spirit provides an alternative: Life!  Change and decay have you discouraged and hopeless?  “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.” (Romans 8:11)

The wonderful story about Lazarus and New Life (John 11) is full of suspense and a final resolution.  It has fully human characters — Mary, Martha and even Jesus weep over Lazarus’ death — and sympathetic neighbors.  And,of course, it’s a preview of Easter’s resurrection.   The preacher or teacher needs to spell out the Good News: that just as Lazarus (and later, Jesus) were given Life-after-Death, so each Believer shall ALSO receive this newness of life!

I’ve heard these stories so many times that I’ve almost forgotten how to marvel over their promise.  But many are hearing these for the first time, and need to catch a glimpse of awe-filled excitement.   Certainly all of us have yearned for the dawn.  These readings invite us to consider the promise of resurrection even in the daily scrabble for sustenance and meaning.

God Bless Us, Every One        Horace Brown King