No Ordinary People

A Monday Meditation for April 5, 2021


St. Peter’s-

 

"There are two ways to live: you can live as if nothing is a miracle, or you can live as if everything is a miracle" -- Albert Einstein.

 

As yesterday was Easter we were again reminded of the “not-so-ordinary” miracle of Jesus’s resurrection. I have often wondered how even those closest to him did not initially recognize him post-resurrection. I wonder if I too would not have recognized Christ. There are a number of plausible reasons theologians have explained why they did not recognize him, but I am still pretty convinced we often simply don’t recognize the miracles right in front of us. This reminds me of a quote from C. S. Lewis who captured the miracle of the “not-so-ordinary” better than I in his poignant and powerful sermon, “The Weight of Glory”...

 

"…there are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”

 

In other words, we put so much emphasis on nations, governments, and civilizations, cultures, etc., but all of these will pass away in the end. In reality, it is each of us – you, me, regular not-so-ordinary people that will live eternal. Wouldn’t it be an AMAZING world if we treated one-another this way?!?

 

But as we consider the lessening impact of the pandemic on our daily lives, we realize life will never be the same. We’ve come too far. The self-centeredness of some and the limitations of our culture and our society have been on full display. But through it all, the sacrifices that so many of us have been willing to endure to overcome these limitations have inspired us all. If we peeled back the stories of people unwilling to make even the simplest gesture of concern by wearing a mask, we were able to see an endless barrage of stories of people going well out of their way to help, encourage, and to save others. In many cases even when it meant risking their own lives to do so.

 

As Easter People, let our hearts be overwhelmed by each and every miracle that is around us: the miracle of talking and laughing, vaccines and flowers, trees and cookies, and each other and the everlasting love of Christ, the everlasting risen Lord.

 

David Shaw