It Is Spring ...

 

 

It was winter … and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.

It was winter, is akin to starting a story, “It was a dark and stormy night.” The words set the mood for what is to follow.

This is the 4^th episode in the Gospel of John that places such a conversation during a Jewish festival. Here it is Hanukkah (the Festival of Dedication). It is important to note that the four conversations all discuss Jesus’ identity. For the hearer the texts link Jewish festivals and Jesus’ identity. For starters Jesus is a practicing Jew who participates in the religious and cultural festivals of his time. This morning’s text is the only incident that not only mentions a festival, it also mentions the season of the year. A mood is being set for the hearer.

 

Put yourself in this scene from John’s Gospel. … It was winter … for us, that conjures up cold and wind and snow, or heavy rain, sleet, ice. It means layers of clothing and heavier footwear.

It was winter… In this created mood, we can imagine Jesus and the disciples under the shelter of the portico, walking tightly together, wisps of breath crystalizing around them. Their cloaks pulled firmly around their collars; hands stuffed under the fabric. They are quickly getting to where they need to go, when they are delayed.  Others in the Temple have come once again, like an unrelenting wind, to demand of Jesus an answer if he is the Messiah. Maybe they will get a quick answer. Jesus does not give the yes or no they want. Rather Jesus’ response sounds like ice pelleting the face, sharp, pointed, I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe… It sounds curt and harsh … you do not belong, bone chilling.

To the religious authorities Jesus’ words are blasphemous, for he had denoted himself in oneness with God.

From festival to festival, from miracle to miracle, from teaching to teaching, from one ‘I am’ statement to the next a storm is brewing. The stormfront expands throughout the Gospel of John escalating from a Nor’easter to a White Juan storm event. The storm’s climax is at Golgotha where Jesus is crucified for claiming to be the Son of God.

 

It would be different if it was summer … and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.

Different yet again if the text said, it was autumn … and Jesus was walking in the temple. The scene would be more relaxed and open. There would be a sense of repose and leisure. Questions would sound inquisitive and conversation warm and inviting.

 

At that time the festival of Easter was taking place. It is spring … and we hear that Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. We hear these words as the season of Easter continues, as the natural world is greening, flowers are blooming, birds are nesting, and pollinators are out and about. Jesus’ mention of sheep has us consider green pastures, dandelions and daisies, running water, warm sunshine, blackflies and butterflies. Glorious!

My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish.

In the midst of Easter, it is spring and a time of opening windows and doors, shedding cloaks and heavy shoes, a lifting of spirits, venturing outside, all around us things are being made new. It is a fertile time in which to hear the Gospel and let it warm our hearts and beings; to believe or at least entertain the thought of belief.

 

Have you ever considered how the season of the year effects how we receive or experience the hearing of the Gospel? We journey through Lent in the depths of winter – considering themes of sin and repentance. Maundy Thursday and Good Friday can be accompanied by darkness and cloudy skies, harsh wind, and either snowbanks or mud. During the seven weeks of the Easter Season, spring arrives, and creation wakes from its winter slumber. Creation reflects the mood of the liturgical church year – Easter is greeted with actual earthly illustrations of resurrection. We hear resurrection appearances of Christ as we are experiencing the physical greening of creation accompanied by the singing of birds.

 

Now imagine living in the Southern hemisphere and celebrating Easter in autumn rather than spring, or in equatorial regions where Lent, Good Friday, Easter is accompanied by consistent warmth and sunshine – no change.

 

When pastoring in New Denmark, NB, the closest Lutheran church was in New Sweden, ME. The congregations did cross-border events. I recall being at an event in New Sweden the week after Canadian Thanksgiving. The women in New Sweden had the sanctuary decorated with coloured leaves, straw, pumpkins, squash, and corn – harvest bounty was everywhere. I asked the women if they had decorated like that because we were coming. I was told the congregation moved the in-church celebration of harvest (American thanksgiving) to the same date as Canada in Oct. because by the end of Nov. northern Maine is frozen and under snow. All harvest items have been put up for the winter. The people were most thankful for the abundance of harvest, at the time of harvest! Their experience of giving thanks to God went hand in hand with the natural environment.

 

At that time the weeks of Easter were taking place in Halifax. It is spring … and Jesus having been resurrected is now Christ living in their hearts through faith.

I wonder if now, is the opportune time to share the Good News? To mirror the natural world by sharing Easter’s story, Jesus’ resurrection. I wonder if people receive and experience the story of resurrection easier, are more open and relaxed to the thought, when the same is witnessed simultaneously in creation?

 

It is spring … on Friday morning newly elected Pope Leo XIV preached, We are called to bear witness to our joyful faith in Christ. This is how the sermon began. We are called to bear witness to our joyful faith in Christ. Although speaking to his colleagues the words are most certainly true for all who hear Jesus’ voice and have choose to follow.

Pope Leo’s words included a warning, but not winter words, in a harsh icy tone, but rather a reflection on the importance of spring and resurrection words. He said that: a lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society. Warm resurrection words bring life to faith, grow meaning, create mercy, plant dignity, and heal wounds.

 

At that time the weeks of Easter were taking place in Halifax. It is spring … and Jesus having been resurrected is now Christ living in their hearts through faith. A people  - we - are living out being Easter people, called to bear witness to our joyful faith in Christ. Springing to life through sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ, we participate in the greening of hearts and souls throughout the earth.

 Glory be! Amen.