Reflections on the meaning of Easter
by Rev. Dr. Daryl C. Greene

As Mary Jane drove her husband Roger to the hospital in Topeka Kansas for a heart catheterization, they talked about their plans for their 50th wedding anniversary celebration. The following day Roger collapsed in the shower as he was preparing for his procedure. In spite of the hospital staff’s heroic efforts he could not be revived. As quickly as you can turn off a lamp with the clapper, Roger was dead and gone.

Mary Jane's grief ran deep. Because she kept bursting into tears, she withdrew from the life of the church and remained cloistered in her house.

Six months later an inner voice told me to go visit Mary Jane. When I drove up the long drive, I saw the woman standing on the front porch. With a light in her eyes, she threw her arms around me and invited me to come in for a cup of tea.

After bustling around the kitchen, she sat down at the table, smiled, and drew in her breath.

“Pastor, last night Roger appeared at the door, clothed in a bright light. I watched as he looked around the room and then walked over to me. He stood behind me and put his hand on my shoulder. A shudder of electricity washed over me from head to toe. Then he whispered in my ear, 'I love you'.

"When I turned to look at him he was gone. But a deep sense of peace remained with me all night. Even today I feel like walking around in a daze. Have you ever heard of such a thing?"

I do not believe in the Easter Story simply because some Sunday School teacher said I should. I have heard many stories like Mary Jane's. I have also heard stories about Jesus’ appearing to people and even touching and healing them.

The story of the resurrection not only tells us that the Spirit of Christ is still alive and that there is life after death. It also tells us that this is God's world. In the context of the entire Biblical witness it tells us that God is able to deliver us from political oppression, save us from physical danger, aid us in times of hunger and want, heal us of sickness and disease, turn us from our sins and addictions, lift us out of depression and despair and bring victory out of defeat. Therefore, do not let your troubles get you down forever. Walk in the way of peace, love and light, and look with expectation for these signs and wonders of God's presence in your life, and in the life of the world. Happy Easter!

Dr. Greene is an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ and a resident of Richmond, IN. He is also the author of Benjamin's Dog Joseph, Feeling Better: The Wisdom of the Doc, You Can Feel Better: How to cope with chronic pain and physical disabilities, and co-author of Walking Free: the Nellie Zimmerman Story.

For further information about his books, please visit www.densmorereid.com

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