Expect the Unexpected

In the Oscar award winning film from 1982, E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial, we see the personification of delight and happiness. In the movie, the alien named E.T. is accidentally left behind by some of his fellow space travelers. However, he befriends a 10 year old boy named Elliot who helps him try to create a device to “phone home.” Sadly, a special government task force tracks E.T. down and he appears to die from some a sickness while in their captivity. As Elliot went to mourn E.T. in his freezing cold tomb, he discovered the unexpected. E.T. is alive. And Elliot’s response is to shout with elation and smile incessantly. And what is the first thing he does? He goes and tells his older brother who shares the same reaction to the good news. He’s alive!

How do you rejoice for all of your blessings? How do you rejoice in the resurrection? In a sense this scene from E.T. is exactly what Mary and Mary do in Matthew 28:1-10. Such joy was to be shared with the disciples according to the angel’s message as well as Jesus’ instruction. You see, the focus of the resurrection is always moving forward, always interacting with others, always rejoicing. We too as disciples are called to tell others of the unexpected story of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps running around from door to door or telling everyone we meet about the greatest story ever told may not be the best way to share the good news in our culture. Maybe a better way is to translate Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection into terms people can understand. Maybe we can do this by using the stories of our lives to illustrate our faith, or maybe we pull the narratives from the silver screen. Either way, the unexpected truth remains, Jesus is alive and well! Jesus went to death on the cross and conquered the grave! What great news! So our task as disciples is just like that of Mary and Mary, to speak the good news to all that will hear; to link transitions in their life to the greatest story ever told; where we get to expect the unexpected. He’s alive. Jesus Christ is risen today. Alleluia! 

Easter Blessings

-Tom