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PASTOR’S CORNER

+ “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” (Luke 24:5) +

Let me acknowledge right from the start that this month I am liberally adapting material from Pastor Joanna Kathol, now serving the ministry at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Falls City NE, where I served in the mid-1990s.

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale includes this item in his work: The Amazing Results of Positive Thinking. “I looked down in the water…There in a world of mud and wet were water beetles. One crawled up on the gunwale, stuck the talons on his legs into the woodwork and died. I let it alone and turned to my reading. The sun was hot. In about three hours I noticed my water beetle again. He was parched. His back was cracking open. I watched, and out of the back of that dead beetle I saw crawling a new form – a moist head – then wings. A most beautiful dragonfly…. As I sat watching, it flew…It hovered over the surface, just a few inches from the water beetles beneath. They did not know it was there.”

Children are extremely-inquisitive little creatures, aren’t they? And it is very informative to study and learn about the life-cycle of the butterfly – its three stages of caterpillar, cocoon, and the finished product. One little girl is fascinated to watch the little critters – the caterpillars – as they crawl around and eat. Soon they start making their cocoons, and one day they will disappear inside them to begin their transformation. The girl is worried about the process, fearing that the caterpillars are dead. She thinks that they are gone forever inside those little cocoons; she does not quite yet understand that her caterpillar friends are becoming something new.

Butterflies are, of course, a common symbol for Easter, as a caterpillar goes into its cocoon to “die” and emerge as a new creation. This experience parallels Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, and it also reflects our own transformation. As sinners, we “die” with Jesus on the cross, and we rise again as new creations in the Christ. In short, we worship a powerful and redeeming God, in whom we are transformed and called into new life. What a gift! What a God! (1 Peter 1:3)

Part of the good news of Easter, I think, is that we worship a God who is good at making things new – especially things that often can seem to be “dead” or hopeless. Like the little girl who thinks her caterpillar friends are dead, we often can look at situations – or even at people – and think that things are unchangeable. We wonder: How can this broken relationship ever be repaired? How will my body possible heal? How can someone’s heart be changed for the better? What good could ever come from________________? If you find yourself wondering about such things at times – whether new life and transformation is truly possible – take heart! We worship a God who specializes in new life, in making things new, and that new life is constantly bursting forth in countless ways. New life comes in the form of hope and healing, kindness and learning, and many more. In your own experience, what new ways are there in which you can feel it? God is still transforming – in our hearts, in our communities, in our world. This is truly good news, the Good News of Easter – and so often we are not even aware of it, and it is right over our heads!

I love this time of year. I love to watch the grass turn green and to see new leaves on the trees. I love seeing new life growing all around. As you enjoy the new life of Spring, remember that you too have been given new life. Through Jesus’ resurrection, you have been forgiven and freed, and there is nothing that can separate you from his love. (Romans 8:35-39) You can live and love every day knowing that you are God’s.

Martin Luther describes baptism as a daily dying and rising with our Christ. While we are physically baptized only once, each day is a new day to live out our baptism by turning away from our old selves and returning back to God. In other words, through baptism, every day is a fresh start to receive God’s love, forgiveness, and grace, as well as to grow closer in relationship with God. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)

Taking time to remember and give thanks for your baptism is a simple and meaningful way to practice your faith, and your prayer life. Remember that prayer is defined as “communication with God”, and that this can be done with your whole life. When you are taking a shower, or when you wash your hands and face, take a moment to wet your finger and make the sign of the cross on your forehead. Remind yourself that you are loved, that you are forgiven, and that you are forever a Child of God. Then continue on in your day with a thankful heart as you live out this good news!

Remembering our baptism, in our Learning Segments at worship right now, we are working our way through Luther’s Small Catechism, Part 4, Baptism. Happy Spring!

Blessings of the Season,
Pastor Bartos +

+ HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED! ALLELUIA! AMEN! +