Nouwen: Easter Resurrections
“When you forget your true identity as a beloved child of God, you lose your way in life.”—Henri Nouwen, “Holy Saturday/Easter Vigil: Be Not Afraid” from Fear to Love: Lenten Reflections on the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Creative Communications of the Parish, 2009).
Jim and his grandson
Many spiritual friends I talk to resonate with Nouwen’s Easter message. We lose our true identity for many reasons, usually driven by fear. We forget that God loves us and search for love elsewhere. We stop becoming the person God created us to be and instead become what others or society expect of us. We become people-pleasers, afraid of rejection. We feel insecure, fearful, and scared, seeking relief in power, addictions, fame, money, or attachments to others. We depend on others' opinions or become paralyzed, unable to make decisions. Eventually, we realize we've lost our connection to God. Where can we find help?
My experience is that help is found in community. We talk with others who can share their connection to God. In recovery groups, this is called “sticking with the winners, staying close to those who have their lights on.” Eventually, we heal and stay connected by reaching out to others who have gone through similar experiences.
As the alcoholic or addict in recovery stays sober and clean by sharing their story, we talk to someone else seeking recovery and share our story of Resurrection from Good Friday.
Some might not call it Easter, but that’s what it is. I was reminded of this by a dear friend, Jim Waldron, who now lives in the resurrection and became sober on Easter Sunday many years ago.
Resurrections are available to us both in this life and the next. We know this is true because we believe in it and have seen it happen! Resurrections have occurred even during the recent pandemic and the terrible wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. I have seen families who were estranged come together to support each other. This is a time of renewal for our Earth. Then, people begin discussing what is truly important in life.
Joanna joannaseibert.com https://www.joannaseibert.com/
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