Gifts of New Life

 When we stop and take time to reflect on what is made new in life I think that most of us focus on something new that we might own or possess.  Perhaps it’s a new car, or a new job, or a new houses, or a new smart phone or computer.  But do we ever think of ourselves being made new, or our relationships or our communities or church being made new?

Being new is about transformation.  It is a more radical change into a new way of living; a way that is more compassionate, more just, and more loving.  It is the Easter newness that our scripture readings are focused on today.  It is transformation from an ordinary way of life that serves to support the status-quo into a new reality of love and joy.  The theme of a new reality, a new way of being unifies our Scripture readings.

In the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, we learn about Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus and how he was changed, transformed from being a persecutor of the earliest Christians into being an ambassador for Christ and a witness to the Gentiles.

“As he was going along and approaching Damascus, he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."

When he arrived in the city, “Ananias went and entered the house.  He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ And immediately… his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.  For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God.’"

Another transformative experience is related in the Gospel of John.  Jesus who was not expected, miraculously appeared to the disciples.  When he appeared the disciples did not recognize him.  Peter, not knowing who it was, announced that he was going fishing and several of the disciples decided to go with him. “They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.”

Then, “Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.  Jesus said to them, ‘Children, you have no fish, have you?’ They answered him, ‘No.’ He said to them, ‘Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.’ So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish.”

Jesus then appeared on the shore by a charcoal fire.  He took bread and gave it to them and also took some of the freshly cooked fish and gave it to them.  When he did this the disciples recognized him.  A new thing happened; it was a transformative experience.

The 30^th Psalm is an offering, a hymn of praise to the Lord for transforming one who was mourning into a sense of joy and exaltation:  “I will exalt you, O LORD,
because you have lifted me up… I cried out to you, and you restored me to health. You have turned my wailing into dancing… my heart sings to you without ceasing; O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.”

Transforming a sense of loss and grief into a new day of dancing and joy is a major change from the depths of agony to the heights of ecstasy.

Finally, in the Revelation to John there is a vision of all creatures being gathered around the heavenly throne of God.  They are singing a glorious song of praise and blessing:  “I heard the voice of many angels singing with full voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honor and glory and blessing!’ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, ‘To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’”

The Lamb that was slaughtered is a clear reference to Christ who was crucified.  Now, seated on the throne of God blessing, honor, glory and power are his because of the Resurrection to new life.  What an amazing transformation.

Our lives are very much like the passages of scripture we have heard today.  We are constantly moving from times of hurt and sadness into moments of joy and happiness.  I can only think of all the people we know and have known who live with life’s more challenging moments: sickness, unemployment, the death of a loved one.  Then there are moments of real joy: a new relationship, restored health, a family wedding, or the birth of a baby.  How often do we move from an experience of sorrow or weakness to a new day of strength, happiness and joy.  We all have these experiences, and we all know people in every stage of life’s journey.

The point of all this is that our faith brings us to an awareness of things we cannot fully understand or comprehend.  We have our history, our stories of those who have gone before us, and our own stories.  They all point to God who is the giver of life and the author of that Peace which passes all understanding.  It is the new life that we find among us, the new life of compassion, justice, and love that goes beyond death and the grave. 

This coming Saturday our vestry will be on a retreat to look at the life we share together as All Saints’ Memorial Church.  We shall take to heart what the Prayer Book says about the mission of the Church.  It is our mission “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ.”  In our work and ministry toward this end we shall endeavor to build on the Easter stories of new life for our Church and our community.

‘To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!’”  Amen.