Just recently I saw a new commercial for New Balance. In it a is woman running up a set of stairs along a cliff and when she gets to the top she stops to pick up a piece of candy. Can you imagine running that hard for something as inconsequential as apiece of candy? When we first think about running hard, most of us are more likely to run hard away from something – something dangerous or scary.

I read in the paper this week that mountain lions are back in Iowa. This means that increasingly people will encounter them, even though mountain lions are very reclusive and hunt mostly at night. These 150-pound cats are thunderously s

I believe John wanted us to notice how the beloved disciple got there. Others came to Easter in different ways. Mary will not believe until she stands face-to-face with the risen Christ and hears him call her name, “Mary.” Thomas doesn’t believe until the risen Christ offers to let Thomas touch his pierced hands and wounded side.

Why did they run against one another? What did they think they were running toward? Mary Magdalene interpreted the empty tomb as further tragedy. Not only had they killed Jesus, someone had stolen his body. Perhaps they were running toward that awful, terrible, last insult.

Few people come to church with the drive of the woman running up hill for her treat. But why not? Are not the rewards for rushing to the empty tomb better than a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup? It’s amazing to me that so few people run to church – not literally, of course, but you’d think that the promise of an empty tomb, victory over sin and death, eternal life, true spiritual riches would merit, at least, a slow jog!

Some topics in this essay:
Mary Magdalene, September People, Jenny Forrest, Shroud Turin, Easter Mary, Jesus John, Cup It’s, Gump” Forrest, Easter Gospel, beloved disciple, empty tomb, risen christ, piece candy, mary magdalene, , easter according, run �, danger ran, call ran, church �,