Not as expected

       At the time that Jesus breathed, lived and loved on earth, the Jews were still waiting for the Messiah. I believe it is popularly accepted that they were waiting for a warrior-leader-savior who would redress all the wrongs, make Israel strong and take care of the pesky Romans in short order. That is what they expected, and wanted. Part of the 'Jesus problem' , the one that leads to Jesus being crucified, is that he was not that kind of Messiah at all.  Humans are an interesting lot, especially today. 'Give me what I want' . . . or else!

        Today's Scripture passage is no different and it strikes at the heart of some of the strongly held beliefs even today.  It is notably indicting of the male dominated, euro-centric Roman church. In today's reading, who is it that discovers and witnesses to the rising of Jesus?  Not the men, cowering in some room. The Apostles were not, at this point, the leaders that even Jesus might have expected when he said, 'come, you will be fishers of men'. It is the woman faithful who are out and about, attending and then witnessing. Not what was expected.

          I guess you would think that the men would be disbelievers even after the 'woman folk'  told them that Jesus had been raised. They ( the men ) do get it though eventually, at least as far as Jesus goes. The roles of woman in the church, not so much.  The Spirit is alive though and we have hope. Right?

          The essence though for me, like all of Jesus' ministry and the lessons learned, is that we quite often don't get what we want or the way we profess to want it. Prayers are answered in funny and imaginative ways all throughout our lives.

          The Jews waiting and praying for the Messiah? And they get Jesus!  He rails against them, 'works' ( as far as they are concerned ) on the Sabbath, embraces all sorts of unclean and the marginalized.  Take care of the Romans? Jesus responds to a Roman Centurion by curing the Centurions male lover.  Jesus the Messiah to everyone? NOT what they ( we? ) were praying and hoping for.

        So what is it that you are praying and hoping for? Are you ready for the unexpected answer? The response that is way more imaginative than you could even conjure in your own limited brain. We are so limited and we pray to be open to the Spirit. Don't we? Do we? Can we? 

Matthew 28:1-10

After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’