Have you ever been in an earthquake or perhaps felt tremors? In recent months there have been powerful and devastating earthquakes in Haiti and Chile that have come suddenly and unexpectedly. I lived in Northridge, California, for a number of years when I was growing up.
Although our family had left there by that time, there was a strong earthquake in that city in the 90's. But I have felt earthquake tremors in other places, in Boulder, Colorado, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and in Orvieto, Italy. I remember when I was a girl in Colorado I had collection of china and glass animals on my dresser, and all of a sudden one afternoon they began to rattle and shake. In the Orvieto tremor I saw an iron railing waving like it was made of rubber. Even mild earthquake tremors can be disconcerting and unsettling.
Although our family had left there by that time, there was a strong earthquake in that city in the 90's. But I have felt earthquake tremors in other places, in Boulder, Colorado, in Newburyport, Massachusetts, and in Orvieto, Italy. I remember when I was a girl in Colorado I had collection of china and glass animals on my dresser, and all of a sudden one afternoon they began to rattle and shake. In the Orvieto tremor I saw an iron railing waving like it was made of rubber. Even mild earthquake tremors can be disconcerting and unsettling.
In the resurrection story from Matthew’s gospel that we read this morning, there is an earthquake at the time of the resurrection. Matthew also reports an earthquake at the time of Jesus’ death. Jerusalem is located right near a great fault line, so earthquakes there are not all that unusual. But these particular earthquakes had great significance because they symbolized the seismic shifting of the entire cosmos at the death and resurrection of Jesus. Matthew wants us to understand the significance of what had happened. The world order had been shaken to its depths and the world would never be the same again.
The resurrection of Jesus is a cataclysmic event for Jesus’ followers. It is the signal for the beginning of the mission of the Church in the world, the mission to “go and tell.” In Matthew’s gospel, the angel says to the two Marys, “go quickly and tell his disciples,” and when they see the risen Jesus he says to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers.” The first task the women are given is to spread the word, that Jesus is alive!
And what is the good news that Jesus’ followers have to tell? It is that Jesus’ resurrection has changed absolutely everything. It is a cosmic event. The disciples now have the larger story to tell of God’s work of salvation through Jesus. They also have their own personal stories to tell of how much God has loved them. Mary Magdalene has a story to tell of how Jesus came to her, an outcast plagued by sin and oppressed by demons, and set her free. Mary Magdalene understands the resurrection power and love of Jesus, which brought her from death to life. Peter has a story to tell of how he was a poor fisherman who understood so little and in the end denied his Lord, but Jesus had chosen him and patiently taught him, loved him and forgave him. He too had his own resurrection story to tell. All of the disciples had stories to tell of how Jesus had loved them, revealed the Father to them, forgave them, and then entrusted the establishing of his Church into their hands. They had stories to tell about how knowing Jesus and the power of his resurrection had changed everything.
We also are given work to do. We also are told to “go and tell,” to tell our own stories of what God has done for us. Do you have your own stories of resurrection to tell, of being loved and forgiven? Of finding strength and comfort when everything seemed hopeless? Of being healed and set free? Of darkness being turned to light? Of being shaken up by this cosmic earthquake of Jesus’ resurrected presence in your own life? The world is desperately in need of our stories, of this message of God’s love in Jesus Christ, the message of resurrection. Though we are just average people like the disciples, God has entrusted us with this great message to those around us in need of hearing it. And he reminds us that we are not sent out alone. Jesus says, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Quiet yourself before God, declaring your dependence upon him. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer. Reflect upon your own story of God’s presence in your life? What is your most recent experience of feeling the “earthquake” of Jesus’ resurrection in your life? What is the story that God has given you have to tell others? Or perhaps you may feel that your story is still waiting for the resurrection. What would you like to say to God about your story? Talk to God about your story.