The Easter Challenge
By Joyce Rupp
Every year it happens:
earth shakes her sleepy head,
still a bit wintered and dull,
and feels new life stirring
Every year cocoons give up their treasures,
fresh shoots push through brown leaves,
seemingly dead branches shine with green,
and singing birds find their way home
Every year we hear the stories
empty tomb, surprised grievers,
runners with news and revelation,
unexpected encounters,
conversations on the road,
tales of nets filling with fish,
and breakfast on a seashore
And every year
the dull and dead in us meets our Easter challenge:
to be open to the unexpected,
to believe beyond our security,
to welcome God in every form,
and trust in our own greening.
May we rise to the challenge and invitation extended in this poem … May we be open to and blessed by the surprises that come our way, and may our faith strengthen and grow ever deeper as we are attentive to the many ways that God makes God’s self known to us.
Easter Blessings!