Can
You Say HALLELUJAH?
Easter
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Rev.
Jane Page
At
our story time, we often share the stories that inspired the celebration of the
holidays and holy days for the world’s major religions. So, last year I decided that on Easter Sunday
I would share…..the Christian Easter Story for the “Story for all Ages.” Now I was careful to include all of the usual
disclaimers – telling the children and adults that this Bible story, like many of the others we have told, was an old
story that had been told by many people before some folks decided to write it
down. And the written down versions in
the Bible had some differences as well – so that like other old stories from
the Bible and many other religious texts, we were not sure which part of it may
have really happened or not. But that we
could always learn something from these stories. And then I began to tell the story of this
great teacher Jesus and what his followers had told about his death and what
some later told about his resurrection.
After I completed the first sentence or two of the story, a little girl
sitting near the front said softly – “but that didn’t really happen.” I went on
with the story – and her phrase became a little refrain that would be lifted up
by her throughout the rest of the story.
“But that didn’t really
happen…. But that didn’t really happen….but
that didn’t really happen.” I smiled in acceptance of her critique and
kept going each time. And we made it
through the story just fine.
You
know – I later thought about this little girl and that she was reflecting my
own refrain about this story through much of my life. Well, not when I was HER age – but rather
when I an adult – especially in my 30’s and 40’s. Perhaps like her, I didn’t really even want
to HEAR that story – because I could not believe it REALLY happened, and
therefore I felt I had no use for it in my life. I much preferred to think of Easter as a time
for renewal – a springtime celebration.
But as some of you know (if you have heard or read my sermon, “Can You
Say RESURRECTION?”), this resurrection story became a comforting metaphor for
me later in life as I discovered that in our darkest times – when we feel that
we are in a tomb, we can listen for that stone to move, and see that crack of
light – and know for us that Easter will come.
The
original Christian resurrection story emerged from a dark time in the lives of
the apostles. Their spiritual leader and
best friend and been killed on a cross.
They were devastated. But
something happened to them in that upper room.
They experienced together that transforming living spirit – that
connection that many of us sing about regardless of our theologies, and they
knew that their lives could be better with that connection – that living spirit
which they interpreted as the risen Christ.
The early Christians began the celebration of the resurrection to
coincide with the pagan Easter holiday – and they have been singing and
rejoicing at Easter ever since. And one
of their favorite words of rejoicing through the centuries has been HALLELUJAH!
The
name of this sermon is: Can you say
HALLELUJAH? Did you know that the word
“Hallelujah” occurs only four times in the Bible. It means “Praise the Lord” or “Praise
Yahweh.” The H precedes the phrase in
Hebrew while the Greek word is “Alleluia.”
If you include the times that words meaning Praise Yahweh or Praise the
Lord are used in the Psalms – then you find it 16 times altogether (still not
as many as you might think). So its
greater use and popularity came later and it has since been used as a word to
praise, rejoice, and celebrate – regardless of one’s theology.
I
submitted the title for this sermon some time back – then realized as the time
approached that it might not be the best of times to “say” Hallelujah.
After
all, we are in the worst economic crisis – many say – since the Great
Depression. And we’ve recently seen so
much meaningless violence in our nation and the world. We’ve also had lots of folks in our own
congregation who have recently experienced deaths in their families as well as
critical illnesses. Can we say
HALLELUJAH? Yes We Can – for we are
indeed blessed in many ways. And when
difficult times occur – it’s okay and normal to take time to feel the pain, but
we also need to listen for that stone moving, and look for those cracks of
light – focus on them and celebrate the good things in our lives. Hallelujah!
So
I wrote an email to our listserv earlier this week and asked for you to share
some of those good things with me. And
many of you identified events or special happenings that stimulated you to
rejoice in recent times. So now I’m
going to share some of these on this Easter Sunday so that we can all rejoice
together. And how should we rejoice? –
By saying “Hallelujah.”
Some
of you reflected on how this recession has actually stimulated more joy for
you. Here’s one quote:
Some
of the personal benefits I've experienced because of the recession are
related to deeply appreciating the small things in life. I'm much more content
with a simpler life these days….. I've also found that I'm a much more creative
cook. In "better times" I would plan out a menu for the week &
then shop according to the recipes. Now I make a list based on the specials at
the grocery store & create new dishes each night using the items that I now
have "on hand." It's way more fun, and there's no anxiety having to
follow a recipe. And to that love
of simplicity and joy of kitchen creativity, we celebrate with you by saying
____ Hallelujah.
One
of you had a very long trip to make this week.
And you shared some data that helped you along the way. You said:
Traffic fatalities in 2008 were the same
as in 1961 thanks to people driving a little less, seat belts, and much better
made cars. Gasoline is also cheaper than
in 1961 when adjusted for inflation. So
driving
today is cheaper, safer, more comfortable
and with far more radio stations to choose from. And I’m VERY HAPPY to say that this very
special person made it back safe and sound from Pennsylvania with his two
children Thursday afternoon – and we can all rejoice with him by saying: _____Hallelujah!
Another
of you wrote to say:
Our
rejoicing will come in May with the arrival of our second son - thus completing
our family. I also rejoice at self-imposed "poverty". I
have found that all the "stuff" we are doing without pales in
comparison to the time I get to spend watching and participating in our son(s)
growing up… A new appreciation for life,
love, and happiness has and is growing around these two boys. And
to that new appreciation – we say:
_________Hallelujah!
Another of you shared your joy in
your work – all three jobs that you have!
In fact, your business is doing well enough that you’ve actually hired
your ex-husband to help out! WOW – I suppose
to that we have to all say:___ Hallelujah!
Some of you shared your joy with
recent decisions legalizing same sex marriage in Iowa and Vermont. The tide is finally turning – and we join
those waves of justice by shouting:_________ Hallelujah!
We had word very recently that two
of you passed certification exams – and we say: ______Hallelujah
One of you defended your master’s
thesis this week
– and your friends toasted you with: ____________Hallelujah.
I heard that one of you recently
received the multicultural advisor of the year award and certainly deserve a
_______Hallelujah!
At least three of you are receiving
degrees or diplomas next month – and YOU and your teachers and advisors and
family members all should say: ___________Hallelujah!
And many of you can’t help but
rejoice at our renewed hope in the country’s leadership. One of you identified three reasons to
rejoice. And – you know folks – you may
not ALL agree with these – I’m just reading them – but if you do, you know what
to say:
1.
I rejoice that our President is an involved, compassionate, intelligent,
and articulate leader. __________Hallelujah!
2.
I rejoice that the current administration believes that global warming is
an actual phenomenon and that they will be taking an active role at home and
abroad to work on this serious problem. __________ Hallelujah!
3.
I rejoice that our President AND "Mighty Michelle" were so
well-received on their recent trip abroad. ________Hallelujah!
I’ll add to those points this recent
AP headline story:
Cheered wildly by U.S. troops, President
Barack Obama flew unannounced into Iraq on Tuesday and promptly declared it was
time for Iraqis to "take responsibility for their country" after
America's commitment of six years and thousands of lives. And we join the celebration of those
troops by shouting: ________Hallelujah!
The most feedback that I received
was related to the joy that many of you feel about connecting with friends and
family. So many of you have the amazing
grace to realize that your time spent with family and friends is SO very
precious. Yes, you are treasuring and
savoring each moment with your children, your grandchildren, your parents and
partners, other family members, neighbors, your precious pets and very special
friends – and this fellowship! We
cherish our relationships and rejoice by saying: _______Hallelujah!
I thought that I had received all
the feedback from my email request that I was going to get – then I received
one more Wednesday evening. This email
brought me back to spring and Easter and our reasons to sing and rejoice
together. Here is a quote from that
email:
The orchid my son gave me last Mother's Day bloomed until November when he entered the hospital. Then it
rested without blooming until the morning of March 2nd when he died. By
that afternoon it had 6 buds ready to open. For my heart that was the beginning
of spring & the true meaning of Easter.
And you
know folks – That REALLY did happen!
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, ____Hallelujah!
AMEN.