Who will roll away the stone?

I find it interesting that in Mark's account of the Easter story (Mark 16:1-8), the women went very early in the morning to honor the body of Jesus. They went in adoration and worship of the one that they thought was their Messiah. "Who will roll away the stone?" they pondered. However, earthly impediments to their mission didn't squelch their journey. How about us? There are many stones placed in our paths to block the way to God, to hinder our ability to live in adoration and worship of what God has accomplished in Jesus, the Christ. We all love to blame the world for robbing us of our ability to worship God as school and at work, or in public. However, the greatest stones blocking our ability to live in pure adoration and worship of God are the ones we create ourselves. We are enamored with success and fearful of being considered "failures." Maybe the women had nothing to lose. Maybe we have too much to lose. What does that say about what we really have and what we're really missing in our lives? Who will roll away the stone? God rolls away the stone when we honor God through humility and God offers miracle in the midst of mystery (note the women in Mark do not encounter Christ, only the promise and command to accomplish a new mission: to go and anoint Jesus' disciples with the Good News: He is Risen and He will appear to you in an appointed place). Too many stones in your path for you to experience miracles these day? Ask yourself, "why?"
Happy Easter!

Your roots?

I was talking with a young friend today about how he went spelunking into a cave beneath a tree trunk in the Dominican Republic. He said that they had to literally climb underneath and through the roots of a large tree that led into a cave full of stalactites and stalagmites. Once inside the cave they discovered a ladder that went further down. They slowly descended this ladder that had thick mold covering each of the rungs as if untouched by humans for years. At the bottom of that ladder they discovered a beautiful crystal clear flowing river. It was like entering a new world, only visible with squeezing and carrying of a light to show the way through the darkness.
Above is a picture of cypress knees formed from the roots of the cypress tree reaching and growing toward light and hope. Such are our lives. Beneath the roots of our lives, somewhere deep through and beneath the darkness that pervades the week of Jesus' passion, lies the source of water that springs forth with eternal life. We must use the light of God to reach "down" rather than "up." When we keep looking up we miss finding Christ who is best found in the dirt of the human journey, beneath the foundation and roots of all that exist and live.
What do your roots look like? Are they poking forth from the surface of life stretching for hope? Is there some mysterious new world lurking just beneath the surface of your existence waiting to be found? God has already been there! The way has been arranged for you to find this place. The steps and rungs of the way gather mold awaiting your journey to the depths of life, through the darkness of Good Friday and toward Easter Sunday!
Dr. Fitz