Nothing is lost.
Romans in Lent 5
Lent 5A - Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45
Richard had AIDS in the awful days before there was treatment. He was dying. When he asked me if I believed in the resurrection, I knew he was asking for an honest answer.
He and I had both grown up in church. We both knew the gospel stories and the Hallmark-card versions of Easter. After we shared which stories were our favorites, even though they didn’t feel believable, I told him what I really believed: That nothing is lost. Changed maybe. But not lost.
When scripture talks about resurrection it may be a little about the afterlife, but mostly it is about the lives we live here and now. It means that even in our heartbreakingly mortal bodies, we can actually know something essential about what is eternal and stronger than death.
In Romans, Paul says that the Spirit of God dwells in us — in our mortal bodies. It is a sign of that indwelling when we love and care for one another without counting the cost. When we experience the miracle of being loved. When we hope despite reasons not to. And when we become willing to bring into the embrace of our care and concern that which is unwelcome, unwanted or feared.
I doubt that Paul knew any more about the afterlife than we do. Years after Richard and I talked, I still find the Hallmark version of resurrection unbelievable. But I understand the gospel a little better. Its message is that what matters is love, here and now. As for what comes later, I still believe that nothing is lost. Nothing.
Peace.
Absolutely. Nothing is lost. An excellent conclusion. As always.