This was an assignment for a Preaching in a Times of Disaster and Crisis class. The reflection is largely influenced by Dr. Brian K. Blount’s writing in “Invasion of the Dead: Preaching Resurrection.” Photo by Brian Snyder/Reuters.
Mark 16:1-3
When the sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. They had been saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?”
In March, our lives were abruptly halted. At least, the routine and the ways we were doing life were stopped. Y’all were the ones who had to keep pushing forward:
Keep pushing forward for the sake of a whole generation.
Keep pushing forward for the sake of the parents and caretakers.
Keep pushing forward for the sake of your underwhelming salary.
Keep pushing forward at the command of folks who have not been a classroom in years.
Y’all were the ones who arrived at that empty tomb.
It was six months ago when you were told “Spring break is extended by two weeks. Then we will return to our ‘normal.’” But headlines changed at an hourly rate. 17,000 questions and zero answers.
And let’s not pretend this was your first roadblock in your career. For years, you’ve been fighting for fair pay, better funding, less standardized testing, more resources. You’ve become activists and advocates for your students at the capitol building.
And now, this is the icing on the cake. You’re either risking your health to be in the classroom with kids while creating a new, sterile classroom set up; or you’re teaching yourself, your students, and their parents how to learn online; or you’re expected to find a balance of both: virtual learning and in-person learning. Everyone has their expert opinion of what’s best for you and the kids.
What is the future of your career? What is the future of the classroom?
Mark 16:4-8
When the women looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled back. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed; you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has been raised; he is not here. Look, there is the place they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him, just as he told you.” So they went out and fled from the tomb, for terror and amazement had seized them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
The world of resurrection is difficult to imagine. Maybe it’s not up to us to imagine it, but the living God – the God who resurrected Jesus – is on their way to bring resurrection to all of us. I believe it’s an all-encompassing resurrection. Resurrection to our energy; resurrection to the ever-dwindling budget for tissues and hand sanitizer; resurrection of respect for the teacher’s vocation and value. The large stone will be rolled away, striking us with surprise, and it might very well fill us with terror. But – we will leave the tomb.
Rev. Natalie Wolf 