by Carol Ann Munro, ISP Chicago
“The mark of our ignorance is the depth of our belief in injustice and tragedy. What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly.” — Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
It is hard to not develop a strong belief in injustice and tragedy if you happen to watch the news. The war in Ukraine, the war in Gaza, the on-going refugee crisis in Syria, and large parts of Africa and on our southern border; the number of people killed by gun violence, living in poverty, struggling with homelessness in our incredibly privileged nation. None of it is fair, all of it is tragic.
It is that belief in injustice and tragedy, that this is just the way it is and the only way it can be and there’s truly nothing we can do about it — this belief in injustice and tragedy — that is literally shattered by Easter. What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly.
The crucifixion of Jesus was unjust and it was tragic. But what was probably most unjust and tragic was that it wasn’t unusual. Jesus was one of at least a couple thousand Jews executed by Rome during the occupation of Judea. One of a couple thousand people killed for anything from stealing to murder, from causing a disturbance to attempting insurrection; Jesus was killed for teaching and doing things people didn’t understand and so were threatened by. It was unjust and tragic. But what the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the Master calls a butterfly.
We are Easter people! We are people who have been through both crucifixions and resurrections, and we know better! Our ignorance has been shattered, along with our belief in injustice and tragedy, and replaced with the incredible power of HOPE and the belief in God’s LOVE! THAT is what Easter is about! Now let’s spread that stuff around!!
Reflection Questions: What tragedies, injustices, and ‘crucifixions’ have you experienced or witnessed in your life? When do you sense that God’s love transforms those experiences into places of hope, like the metamorphosis from caterpillar to butterfly?
Carol Ann has been a long-time volunteer with the ISP Chicago team. She has worked with the American Red Cross. She has been an active minister in the United Church of Christ, a hospital chaplain, retreat leader, and spiritual director.