Brian’s Reflection: Monday, April 19, 2010

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach;
but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus.

From the Gospel called John, chapter 21

In the Christian Myth, it happens over and over again: people do not “recognize” Jesus after the Resurrection.

What I think is important is this: What triggers their recognition is something that Jesus does. He calls Mary by name. He breaks bread with the two after arriving in Emmaus. And in this incident, He again breaks and shares bread and gives them grilled fish. Not only does He do something that jogs their memory, He does something that resurrects a central core experience or personal connection.

Paul tells us that Jesus asked everyone to continue to share the last Passover meal together, with the twist of connecting the matzos (Passover unleavened bread) and the Cup (first or Elijah) with His “Body and Blood” – i.e., His offer of Life and intimate connection with God.

If we are grounded in a story of God’s intimate connection with us – as Jews and Christians certainly are – then we will be awakened by recalling such events, by participating in such ritual.

Mythologically, “God”, “Life”, is always sitting down to table with us, always waiting for us on beaches as we return from unfruitful work, awakening us to the Divine Presence by touching the core of our own hearts – and reminding us that these are two sides of One Reality.

“Religion” is practicing those rites and rituals, practicing those ethical and compassionate acts, which awaken in us our Unity with “God”, with Life.

Our heart always knows “It is Jesus”. It is up to us to nurture the Knowing.

Brian+