Reflections on Resurrection

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of the world…But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ. (Ephesians 1a, 4a)

When it comes to my life in Christ it seems more or less that I am in a perpetual process of being resurrected. Every time I read a passage seemingly familiar and find that it has found new places within me dead or dying and in need of the breath of life; whenever a planned time of prayer becomes an encounter with God in the eye of the storm of life; when a glimpse at Divinity revealed in a family member, cloud formation, or song makes my heart flutter within me…these are perhaps the tiniest inklings of resurrection that when added up may equate to a human fully alive in Christ.

Resurrection is such a heavy word. It stirs many emotions, conjures up many images of Jesus of Nazareth and Easter glory. But it is not so heavy or so theological that we do not know and live it in the day to day. By the Grace of God, we have stories of homes and relationships resurrected, stories of hope and vision resurrected. We are witnesses to life restored where once all seemed lost.

In a world infiltrated by the Spirit of God, where there are many crosses upon which Christ extinguishes the death of sin/pain/shame, resurrection happens. We may call this resurrection with a small “r” but it is resurrection nonetheless.

Within the LaSalle community are countless moving and powerful stories, images, moments of resurrection. We are a storied community. What if we shared these with one another? How would we be inspired through acknowledging the Graced resurrections in our own lives and in the lives of others?

We invite you to open up your experiences of resurrection to the community. From Easter Sunday until June 14th, we will have a blog up online, and this blog is YOUR space to tell stories, post poetry, photos, videos, links, whatever you so choose that testify to new life in Christ, to resurrection encountered. Even if no personal stories or images are revealed to you right away, keep checking back and see if someone else’s sharing sparks a memory within you.

Blessings in this season of Resurrection,

Casey Thornburgh

For the glory of God is humanity fully alive. (Irenaeus)

Resurrection, Everywhere

Reverence. Take out the trash reverently.

Stop to admire how death turns back into life

And maybe you'll find the guts to recycle your regrets as well.

Compost your mistakes. Give life half a chance!

Resurrection is all around you! But you have to do your part.

-Cate Wallace-