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Easter
Fear
Fr.
George Smiga
19 April 2003
Mark
16:1-8
We have
all heard of Easter joy. But how much we do know of Easter
fear? That is the question that today's gospel poses. Because
in this resurrection account by the evangelist Mark, there
is very little joy to be found. When the women discover the
empty tomb and they hear the news that Jesus is risen - they
do not rejoice. They flee from the tomb and say nothing to
anyone because they are afraid. Fear at the tomb might at
first be puzzling. But upon closer reflection it contains
a central message of the Easter story. The women were afraid
because as soon as they realized that Jesus had been raised
up, they also realized that their lives would have to change.
As soon as they saw that the tomb was empty, they also knew
that all that Jesus had taught them was reliable and true,
that God was alive, that life was more powerful than death,
and that their lives would have to show it.
We find
ourselves in a very similar situation to the women at the
tomb. If we don't believe in the resurrection, if we think
that the message of Jesus is misguided or misdirected, we
can go home and no one will expect very much of us. But the
minute that we believe the message that Christ has been raised
up, that God is now working in the world through Christ, then
in that moment we must admit that people should see God in
us. And that is where the fear comes in. For such a calling
is an awesome responsibility.
Yet there
is no way around the fear. The women at the tomb remind us
that whenever we encounter life, we encounter not only joy,
but fear, not only grace but also responsibility. In our deepest
moments of joy, is there not always a tinge of fear? When
we realize we have been given a tremendous opportunity in
our work, or our career, along with our joy is there not the
doubt: "am I really up to this challenge?" When
we find someone at last whom we love completely and that person
loves us in return, do we not also find in the midst of that
joy a question: "Can I be generous enough, can I be forgiving
enough, can I be faithful enough to allow this love to last?"
When we hold a newborn son or daughter in our arms for the
first time and are overwhelmed with the joy that has been
given to us, can we not hear in that joy a whisper asking:
"Are you wise enough, are you brave enough, are you loving
enough to shape this life into a new human being?" One
of the things that that fear in the midst of joy does for
us is to remind us that life is real. As much as life is a
blessing, it also calls for responsibility. It also asks us
to live what we have been given to the best of our ability
So how
do we cope with this fear? How do we find the courage even
in our joys to assume that we can live what is asked of us?
Only by depending on one another. That is why we are here
tonight. That is why we are community, church. We come together
as a people tonight sharing the same fears. The fears of whether
we are good enough as a spouse, as a parent, as a friend,
as a disciple. Yet we come together tonight and stand together
knowing that despite all of our fears and doubts we can still
claim God's mercy and God's love. In a special way tonight
we think of Jeff and Rob who are preparing for baptism. I
have talked to both of them and they have shared with me that
their feelings are a mixture of joy and fear. It is important
for both of you to know that that mixture of joy and fear
is the true sign of a disciple, something that every believer
here tonight shares with you. You need to know that your willingness
to be baptized into Christ Jesus, your willingness to be covered
by the waters of baptism so you can rise to new life is a
sign to us that despite all the fears and imperfections that
we share together, we can still allow Jesus to be seen in
our midst.
If your
Easter does not have at least a bit of fear, you might be
missing the fullness of the Easter message. Because the Easter
message is that God is real, that Christ is risen, that life
is stronger than death and that our lives should show it.
Yes, that is a frightening call. But there is some fear in
everything which has value. So let us tonight stand together
and push through the fear to the joy. Let us admit our doubts
but choose to believe nonetheless. Let us join our lives together
and with all of our imperfections and nevertheless fearlessly
proclaim: "Christ is risen. Alleluia!"
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