When Easter arrives early:
In the higher elevations we have a special treat: the amapola de sombra trees are still blooming. There is something magical about this tree. During most of the year it is covered in green foliage without a hint of what it can bring forth at the start of spring. But after the coffee harvest the big trees start to let go of their leaves. Then the flowering begins...
The vastness of His Life beyond death:
The "god" of those who put Jesus to torture and death manifested himself as confined to narrow boundaries. This was no magnificent ruler of vast inter-galactic spaces. Small gods give birth to diminished people, with interests confined to strict rules of conduct that sanctioned prejudice in favor of one culture. The tomb with Jesus within it became a symbol (for a short while) of triumph for this fierce tribal god: "Beware all of you who cross my path. Look upon him who rejected me and see his fate: he is gone forever; wiped off the face of this Earth where I alone rule!" But then came the immensity of the Easter...
Easter immensity:
The apostles were unprepared for the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ to be real. It was too easy for them to unfavorably compare the solidity of the Temple to the fragility of one human life, handed over without a battle for self-preservation. But no matter, the super nova of Easter shattered their presumptions and opened up a new world where communion with the ever living One became their daily bread.
The amapola de sombra: sacramental of new life:
In the same week: a mighty US credit bank goes under while the light from a dying star half way across the Universe reaches our eyes after a journey of six billion years: a tiny "Temple" implodes, compared with the unfathomable vastness of Creation! How easy it was for us to be impressed by the work of our own hands: by yet another little temple dedicated to a lesser god... regardless of the messages of immensity which the Creator sends our way. Through it all, the amapola de sombra speaks of the Easter mystery: losing life (leaves) in order to flourish. Perhaps we are just slow learners, too entranced with what is close to hand... even as our spirit longs for the unfathomable breath of Easter joy.
