How did they know?
How did they know
it was time to push up
though the long-wintered soil?
How did they know
it was the moment to resurrect
while thick layers of stubborn ice
still pressed the bleak ground flat?
But the tulips knew.
They came, rising strongly,
a day after the ice died.
There's a hope-filled place in me
that also knows when to rise.
It is urged by the strong sun
warming my wintered heart.
It is nudged by the Secret One,
calling, calling, calling,
"Arise, my love, and come."
Like the dormant tulips
my heart stirs,
and hope comes dancing forth.
Not unlike the Holy One
kissing the morning sun,
waving a final farewell
to a tomb emptied of its treasure.
~Joyce Rupp
Eastertide season is an energetic season of hope and awakening. There are still fears, sinfulness, sorrows, anger, and suffering; however, light and hope are breaking though. The days are longer, the sun is bringing warmth, the ground is softening, and the birds are singing. A walk in the woods reveals the stirring of new life as the bloodroot, dutchmen's britches, and spring beauty begin to bloom. The moss, grass and trees are greening. All these signs of new life stir hope and wonder within us.
If we are attentive, little resurrections are happening in us as well as the natural world. Resurrection happens when we love someone who does not reciprocate that love. When we overcome a fear, begin again after failure, accomplish one day more of sobriety, or trust again after betrayal; these are all signs of resurrections. We do not need to wait until Easter to experience resurrection, it is happening all around us and in us and connects us to the Holy One.
"Easter brings the awareness that God is present even when his presence is not directly noticed. Easter brings the good news that, although things seem to get worse in the world, the Evil One has already been overcome. Easter allows us to affirm that although God seems very distant and although we remain preoccupied with many little things, our Lord walks with us on the road and keeps explaining the Scriptures to us. Thus, there are many rays of hope casting their light on our way through life." ~Henri Nouwen
As they talked and discussed these things with each other,
Jesus himself came up and walked along with them;
but they were kept from recognizing him. Luke 24: 15,16 NIV
The resurrection does not solve all our problems nor end our struggles. The empty tomb is an expression of God's faithfulness. God is saying to each one of us, "Arise, my love, and come. You are my beloved. I hold you in my everlasting arms. I am with you always."
Song: Holy Angels by Sara Thomsen
You are held by holy angels
Holy angels are all around you
"Hush, now, sleep child," sing the holy angels
"We are holding you. You can rest."
"Morning will come, child
The dawn will break through the darkness
We are holding you through the light of the newborn day?
Reflection:
Be attentive to signs of resurrection in you and around you.
What signs of new life are arising in you?
How does it feel to hear God saying to you, "Arise, my love, and come. You are my beloved. I hold you in my everlasting arms, I am with you always."
Resources:
Nouwen, H. (April 2, 2024) Nouwen Meditation: God's Faithfulness. Henri Nouwen Society.
Nouwen, H. (April 4, 2024) Nouwen Meditation: The Many Rays of Hope. Henri
Nouwen Society.
Rohr, R. (April 5, 2024). Daily Meditation: Resurrection through Connection. Center for Action and Contemplation.
Rupp, J. & Southard, M. (2002). The Cosmic Dance. New York: Orbis Books
