The same holds true for recognizing the Spirit of the Risen Lord in our midst. We need to be alert to the signs of resurrection that come our way. Looking to the scriptures for direction, we see that these often happen while engaging in the tasks of our daily lives. Mary went to attend the grave and thought she met a gardener. When the Lord spoke to her by name, she recognized Him. Peter went fishing and was frustrated with his lack of success. When the stranger on the shore directed him to cast his net to the right side of the boat and the catch was overflowing, he knew it was the Lord. The group of disciples was huddled in a locked room to avoid being arrested after Jesus’ death. They recognized the Lord when He appeared and said “Peace be with you” and showed them His hands and His side.
Notice the hallmarks in all these scenes. The Lord incorporates Himself into whatever is happening in the first disciples’ lives. He speaks words of reassurance and directs their activity to be fruitful in witnessing to their faith. He gives them a mission, because once they have encountered the Risen Christ they cannot keep it to themselves. He teaches them what to look for as signs of His resurrected presence: a sense that God knows you personally like Mary in the garden; a direction that will feed everyone in body and spirit like Peter on the lake; a calming power that brings peace and offers forgiveness through us.
But sometimes we can be overly anxious about meeting the Lord. We so want to encounter His Risen presence and power that we force the issue. We look for the bazaar and strange to verify His new life. Visions, voices, paranormal phenomena set us on edge to know that the power of God is at work. Often we view such power as threatening, forcing us in line with Church teachings,getting back at God’s enemies. Such is not the picture the scriptures draw for us of the Risen Lord’s Spirit.
This new life is strong, subtle and resilient. It is woven into the issues we face each day, offering a higher viewpoint and a different way. When others may think the situation hopeless, it opens a door to another possibility. When our fears may get out of hand, it brings peace and calming assurance to think clearly and act reasonably. When some people may want to force their ways on others, it invites, encourages and entices all of us to come and see without undue pressure or manipulation. The Spirit of the Risen Lord is not of this world, but works in this world to transform it into God’s Kingdom.
So stay alert, but be at peace. “The strife is o’er, the battle done.” Christ is Risen, never to die again, and we share in His victory.
