EASTER: An invitation to be a part of mystery
“Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’(which means Teacher).” John 20:16
By Rev. Canon Val Kenyon
WHILE EASTER can be and is many things, it is most certainly an invitation.
The account of the empty tomb does not try to explain everything to readers. Instead, we discover on that Easter morning, elements of surprise, awe, confusion, recognition, joy, and transformation all bound and mixed together and all playing a part in the unfolding of the Easter story.
The description of the events of that morning resists being neatly contained and yet if allowed to, they inspire within us wonder, curiosity and joy. These in turn, if given opportunity to do so, will expand to support a living and a growing faith.
On Easter morning, Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb while it is still dark. It takes her some moments to understand what she sees. Later, when the risen Jesus speaks her name, it is as if a light goes off, for in that moment Mary awakens to the miracle of the risen Lord and the gift of this encounter. “Jesus said to her, ‘Mary!’ She turned and said to him in Hebrew, ‘Rabbouni!’ (which means Teacher).”Gospel of John 20:16
We see in this moment the importance of encounter, an element that is also strongly fostered and supported in the Education for Ministry (EFM) sessions. Within EfM we begin with wonder and curiosity in search of the encounter. Participants ask real questions, and together with others spend time sitting with mystery, giving ourselves space to notice where God may be stirring in the texts we are reading and, in the lives, we are living.
Education for Ministry does not promise simple answers, but it does cultivate faithful attentiveness. We trust that we serve a God who is always doing something new, that learning is lifelong, and that transformational encounters often come quietly, unexpectedly, and most especially in those moments when we hear our name spoken in love.
So, during this Season of Easter, let’s keep returning to the Easter story, not so much to solve its mystery, but rather to accept its invitation to change us, to recognize Christ in our midst, and to carry the good news into the world with wonder, curiosity and joy.
If you would like to learn more about Education for Ministry and joining us, our online Open Houses will be on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, August 26 with an in-person Open House on Wednesday, June 10th, all at 7pm at St Anne’s Byron, 1344 Commissioners Road West. Please email us at the email below if you are interested in attending.
Please reach out to Libi Clifford the Diocese of Huron EfM Coordinator or me, Val Kenyon at EFM@huron.anglican.ca to learn more or to schedule an alternate date for a presentation or for further information.
Rev. Canon Dr. Val Kenyon is EFM Animator in Huron.