What are the senses? (see, hear, taste, touch, and smell) Why are these important to our experiences? How do these help us engage in the moments of our lives?
Consider the experience of Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome from our Gospel reading today. In what ways might their journey to the tomb have been impacted by their senses? Can we imagine what they may have seen, heard, tasted, touched, and smelled? Why does it matter?
In fact, many of the readings for this season of Easter highlight diverse ways in which individuals see, hear, taste, touch, and smell in relation to the risen Jesus. The women in today’s story don’t just see an empty tomb – they see a man in white and hear as he speaks to them. The text doesn’t say this, but, they may have also noticed the tomb didn’t smell the way they had expected – part of the reason they were carrying spices with them. They were in a garden surrounded by the sights, sounds, and smells common to these. They had a sensory experience that informed their story.
Next week we will hear how the disciples see Jesus and Thomas is invited to touch the wounds in his hands and side. There are stories of Jesus eating with the disciples – tasting together the goodness of the Lord in bread, and fish. There is even a delightful story where Jesus makes breakfast for the group – no doubt creating a sense memory through the smell and taste of the meal.
The resurrection of Jesus is experienced by the senses to reinforce the truth that the resurrection was never meant to be a thought-exercise. The disciples weren’t required to simply have faith in this truth. They were given tangible reasons to believe that could be shared for generations, centuries, and millennia to come. The resurrection wasn’t meant to be a thought-exercise that leads to belief. It is an experience.
So then, how do our senses help us to experience the resurrected Christ today? What do we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell that confirms for us that Jesus Christ is risen? Why does this sensory experience remain important for our faith journeys?
Given these physical, sensory experiences, how do we choose to respond? How do our bodies become a means through which we express our faith? What do we do to not stay silent about what we believe? How can we embody our faith in physical, sensory ways?
This season, we will explore the physical embodiment of faith through a sermon series based on a prayer that can include physical movement. As well, we will use free prayer instead of formal prayers – inviting folks to light candles as physical representations of our prayers. We will continue to take and eat, take and drink allowing ourselves to be nourished by the love of God in Jesus Christ. And we will dance, and sing together as we feel comfortable. All of this is to help remind our bodies what we believe so that, like the women, and the disciples so long ago, we can find the courage to proclaim the Good News today.
How do our bodies become a means through which we express our faith? May we go forth nourished and strengthened by our physical and sensory experiences of the resurrection. This we pray as we dance and sing: (SNC) #60 These are the Days of Elijah.