TRACKS: Monroe, Louisiana

“It sounded like you believe in resurrection.” The comment was as much a question as it was an observation. The words were noticeably laced with a twinge of surprise. After a week of Holy Week services, the host pastor was driving the guest speaker for the week to the airport.

Carlyle Marney was the guest minister about to depart for home. Personally, “Marney”—that’s what most people who knew him well called him—was one of my heroes and mentors. I suspect he may have been the most brilliant thinker ever produced by Baptists. Certainly he was one of the most honest and influential. Some people called him a “liberal,” but as is usually the case, no label fit perfectly; it depended on the subject being discussed.

Obviously, Marney’s host for the week had the “liberal” label in mind when he offered his observation that hung in the air like a question—“Tonight,” he said to Marney, “It sounded like you believe in the resurrection.”

After a pause, Marney, now somewhat elderly, responded, “The closer I get to death, the more I believe in the resurrection.”

From the moment I heard that story from my friend who was Marney’s host for that week years ago, I understood the revered man’s comment. For me, it is a pertinent comment for Holy Saturday.

Some people believe in resurrection because they are supposed to, some because the Bible describes it, others because they think they have figured out a rational explanation for and defense of resurrection (which misses the whole point of the truth about resurrection), and still others because of a need to believe in resurrection.

I look forward to Easter Sunday as a day when we wrap all of our doubts and beliefs in a series of alleluias as we claim the promise that nothing can separate us from the love of God. But, for me, the waiting is as spiritually important as the celebrating. In such silence, anxiety, eagerness, disturbance, and expectation belief forms . . . or reforms.

Prayer

O God, for the journey through Lent and the challenges of Holy Week we give thanks even as with gratitude we look forward to tomorrow and a joyous celebration of a mystery that is essential to reality. Amen.