Resurrection is not a spectator sport

Resurrection is not a spectator sport

Third Sunday of Easter
May 4, 2025, 11 am

The Reverend Dr Adam J Shoemaker

 I speak to you in the name of God who loves us, Creator and giver of life. Amen.

As we continue this 50-day Easter season and hear stories on Sunday morning of resurrection encounters that the early disciples have with the risen Christ, I would argue that today's readings, from the recommissioning of St Peter to the dramatic conversion of St Paul, remind us that resurrection is not a spectator sport: Resurrection is not a spectator sport.

I find it amusing, friends, that as we sit here, just days away from a papal conclave when 130-odd Roman Catholic cardinals from all over the world will sequester themselves in the Sistine Chapel to prayerfully discern who they believe to be the next successor to St Peter, that we are reminded in our gospel reading of Peter's impetuousness. Peter, bless his heart, just can't seem to get out of his own way. He means well but he so often shoots from the hip without thinking things through. And this gets him into trouble again and again and again. But for all of Peter's faults and all of Peter's failings, I believe it would be unfair to remember him as a denier.

Last Sunday, we heard something of the story of St Thomas who was absolutely maligned in history as a “doubter” when really all Thomas wanted was the same gift that the other disciples had been given. All Thomas was doing was wrestling earnestly with questions about the resurrection that any of us might have. But ultimately, ultimately, the risen Christ reappears to Thomas meets Thomas right where he is, is vulnerable with him, shows Thomas his wounds and invites Thomas into a lifegiving relationship.

I would argue that something similar happens in our gospel reading today as Christ appears to Peter and some of the other disciples by the seashore and helps them to catch an abundance of fish—153 to be exact. But then by the end of the story, Christ has this exchange with Peter. And he doesn't ask Peter to beg for forgiveness. He just asks Peter, even if it irks Peter, to reaffirm his love for Jesus three times. In that reaffirmation Peter is called to shepherd, to tend, to care for God's flock, God's sheep, God's people in the world.

As an Episcopalian I would argue that that calling is not just the domain of popes or bishops or clerics but is in fact the call of the whole church. All of us who strive to be the body of Christ in the world are called, in our own way, to shepherd God's people, to come to understand that we are truly our neighbors keeper, that we are accountable to our communities, not just those we know but those beyond those circles, and to care for those on the margins. Resurrection is not a spectator sport. But we are also reminded, in the caution that Christ offers Peter at the end of this gospel, that this Easter call is not without risk that may lead us, if we take it seriously, to go to places we would rather not go. It may lead us to sacrifices—perhaps not the ultimate sacrifice that Peter and the other disciples had to make, but sacrifices nonetheless for the sake of the common good.

I see this challenge echoed in the wonderful conversion story that we have heard read from the book of Acts: the conversion of Saul, a zealous persecutor of the early church, into Saint Paul, the greatest missionary the church has ever known. It's a well-worn story that has been depicted in art and iconography and literature down through the ages, with Saul being struck by a blinding light on his way to Damascus. But a less well-known part of this story is the heroic role played by the unknown figure named Ananias. Ananias is also called by God in this story. Ananias is called by God to complete Paul's conversion to lay hands on him. The problem is that Ananias has heard of Saul's reputation. He's heard of his violence of this man who seems to be an enemy, an adversary to the way of Jesus. But God calls him nonetheless to stretch out across that divide and reach out his hands in love. Ananias ultimately has the courage to do just that. He goes to Saul, lays hands on him, and says "Brother Saul, pay attention that Easter is about reconciliation, about restoration, about new life." He says "Brother Saul, brother Saul, the Lord our God has called me to lay hands on you." In that moment of connection, scales fall from Paul’s eyes: his eyes are opened and the rest, as they say, is history.

Friends we may not be called exactly like Saint Peter or Saint Paul but perhaps, just perhaps, we might be called by God like blessed Ananias. We might be called by God to reach out our hands across so many of the divides that plague our society for the sake of something new, something good, something true. We might be called to stand up and take the risk to advocate for those in the margins, to organize and mobilize for the sake of the common good. That leads me, friends, to an Easter invitation for, as was announced last Sunday, tomorrow night at 6:30 pm at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church on Rivers Avenue, the Charleston Area Justice Ministry or CAJM, a mission that we have been leaders in now for several years, that mobilizes 40 different faith communities in the low country—Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and beyond—to come together in faith and advocate before our elected officials for the sake of the common good on such pressing issues as housing, education, policing, health care, and the environment. CAJM  will have their big action of the year, the Nehemiah Action. The goal is to fill that church with 1,500 people. Fifteen hundred people who come together seeking justice and equity for all which I believe is not always easy. If you've been to a Nehemiah Action before, you know it's not without discomfort. It's not without some risk. The work of justice can sometimes feel like you're banging your head against the wall. But it's an important part of our Easter call to help work for abundance and new life, for a better Charleston, for a better country, and better world. So I would invite you, friends if you're able. You can register at the event to join our St Stephen’s group. Join our CAJM leaders, Janet Northern and Joy Smith, who I'm so very proud is representing us for the next two years as CAJM co-president. Come out and join us for the sake of the common good. We had nearly 70 people turn out at the last Nehemiah Action. We'd love to exceed that number this year. If you have questions about the action tomorrow night, please speak with Joy. Please join us, 6:30 pm tomorrow night, at Mount Moriah on Rivers Avenue.

For resurrection is not a spectator sport. It's not enough for us to come to church during the 50 days of Easter, sing our songs of hallelujah, cross ourselves, and hope for a better world. No, God invites us, God calls us to be about the work of resurrection. How do people know that you are an Easter Christian? By the way in which you live your life. How do people know that you are living your life in the light of God's resurrection? May we have the courage to step forward in faith and answer that question for ourselves, in our own way, for love's sake and for the sake of the world that God has made and loves, loves, loves so very much. Amen.

© 2025 Adam J Shoemaker

 Image credit:  Photo by Luiza Braun on Unsplash