"Raise the Dead..."

Today's post is brought to you a day late due to collecting Toys for Tots with my faith community. Typical of the season, too much crammed into too little space - but all for a terrific cause. On to our post...a troubling one in many aspects. At the point in the ministry where this statement is given, Jesus has healed many, but has not raised anyone who has died. What can the disciples make of this instruction then?

Physical death is a reality of living - the natural end to a life. Even our cells have a natural life expectancy and a process of dying (called apotosis) that is programmed into them. Things go terribly wrong (i.e., cancer) when cells circumvent this apototic pathway and become immortal. Jesus was not talking about physical death, he was talking about spiritual death. Raising the dead from the "lost sheep of the house of Israel" thus was directed at a people who had lost their way spiritually and had become people of the world rather than people of the Book .

Spiritual resurrection is a common theme, especially at this time of the year. The coming of the Messiah, the season of light, etc, and the darkness of the time of year, all feed into a longing for renewal. It can be a time for reflection and introspection - a time for re-ordering priorities and resolving issues. It can be a time to look beyond ourselves to that which truly gives us life and thus "raises us" from the worldly death that surrounds us.

It is unclear how "successful" the 12 were at these four tasks. However, the scripture accounts do note that larger crowds followed this rabbi - to the point of feeding 5,000 and 4,000 respectively. Something was happening that people took notice of. The miracle was less about the food and more about the community that was gathering; about the healing and sharing leading to wholeness.

So, in this time, may you be spiritually renewed and re-born. May the light of the season come into you and drive back the darkness. May your health, wellness and wholeness become a beacon for others to be drawn to and healed by. May you find peace and joy and love.

My very best wishes to you all,
Dan