I had an incredible Easter experience this morning. I think we so many times picture heaven and Jesus and angels as these puffy, floating, warm-fuzzy, glassy-eyed creatures, that we forget how dynamic they are meant to be. (** author's tip--you may want to avoid these cliches. Granted, I've never seen an angel, but I think good writing comes with presenting the unexpected--but that's a column for another time...).
Our priest, S, made an interesting point that I had never considered before...if the angels we picture were so warm fuzzy and fluffy, then why is it that the first thing they always say is "Do not be afraid." Evidently there is something about them that is recorded in the ancient scripture as frightening and dynamic. They didn't have digital cameras back then--and in a way, I'm glad [see the Doris Betts quote in the archives at right].
So Happy Easter to those who celebrate it. I also send wishes of peace, love and joy to those who do not.
From C.S. Lewis, "Mere Christianity"
A live body is not one that never gets hurt, but one that can to some extent repair itself...a Christian is not someone who never goes wrong, but one who is enabled to repent and pick himself up and begin again, because the Christ-life is inside him. ...that is why the Christian is in a different position from other people trying to be good. They hope......the Christian is different from others trying to be good. They hope to please God if there is one; or--if they think there is not--at least deserve approval from men. But the Christian thinks any good he does comes from the Christ-life inside him. God does not love us because we are good, but God will make us good because he loves us.
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