Mungu Yupo. God is here. A reflection of finding God's joy in unlikely places

Homily Sunday of Easter B, Divine Mercy, Holy Humor, 4/8/18
Deacon Ed Solomon

An elderly woman named Maude had a window seat on a 747 jet that had just taken off for Rome. She saved for years to fulfill her dream to visit the Eternal City. But it was her first flight and she was terrified. Even the presence of 4 Bishops seated behind her did not help. Trembling she finally opened her eyes and peeked out the window, just in time to see one of the plane’s 4 engines break loose from the wing and disappear into the clouds. “We’re going to die!” she cried out. The stewardess consulted with the pilot who announced to the passengers that everything was under control. They would fly back to NY and land safely with 3 engines. The stewardess went to Maude and said: “Don’t worry my dear, God is with us. We have only 3 engines, but look, we have 4 bishops on the plane. To which Maude replied, “I’d rather have 4 engines and 3 bishops.”

While there are plenty of things which can evoke legitimate fear (like driving on Interstate 95 through N.J. in a Honda Fit), many fears are not rooted in reality. The late Charles Shultz creator of the Peanuts cartoon, put useless fear into perspective: “Don’t worry about the world coming to and end. It’s already tomorrow in Australia.”

In today’s gospel, we find the disciples locked in a room full of fear. Their world has come to an end. Jesus In whom they put all their hope in is dead. Despite reports from some women that the tomb was empty, they did not believe their testimony. How ironic that just one week after Jesus broke out of the tomb, his closest friends have locked themselves In a room afraid of what might happen next.

But Jesus, has not abandoned them. He breaks through the walls shattering their fear with four simple words: Peace be with you. Imagine their joy seeing him alive. I imagine that Jesus had a big smile as he reunited with his friends. Jesus is often portrayed with a somber, judgmental face. Such images make it difficult to see him as the bearer of the good news. This picture of the Risen Christ by the Sea captures the spirit of Jesus who rejoiced with people at weddings, went fishing with friends, broke bread and shared wine at meals where all were welcome.

Although each of us has our crosses, Christianity is not about the cruelty of the cross. It is misguided to stay at the cross. We are Easter people. We are people of the light(point to Pascal Candle); we have heard the Good News, not the Bad news.

Unfortunately, many people do not see Christianity as a joyful religion. Maybe that’s one reason why membership in most mainline denominations has declined significantly. There is much truth to the old proverb “You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” Jesus came to free us from useless fear, and celebrate the good news. That remarkable transformation from fear to joy is the story of the early church and our story too.

The joy of Easter cannot be confined to one day. It’s why we celebrate it for 50 days. Easter challenges each of us to climb out of our tombs to Rise and Shine rather than Rise and Whine. You may think that tombs are only for dead people, but tombs come in many shapes. We can withdraw from life, entomb ourselves in our own suffering when life becomes overwhelming. Many in our world are entombed by poverty; women throughout our world are entombed by sexual abuse and mistreatment. Even our planet’s air, water and natural resources are entombed by greed and self-interest. Many of us our entombed by our prejudices or minds closed to ideas that differ from our own.

I remember a man in his early sixties who shut himself in his parent’s house after their death, unable to cope with his loss. Although he was a brilliant pianist; he gave up hope, and was overcome with depression for years.
Children at Mass in Kibera

On my recent trip to Kenya, I visited people in Kibera, one of the world’s largest slums. Over 800,000 people live in small shacks with dirt floors, corrugated tin roofs, without clean water. The dirt streets are littered with garbage and waste. Kibera is a tomb for the poor who have little hope that things will get better. Yet the families who welcomed me into their homes refuse to be confined to this tomb. Rather they are full of joy and hope because they truly believe God is with them. An often repeated Swahili phrase captures that sense, mungu yupo, God is here. It is not just a platitude; it is a lived experience. God is with them. It is why they rise and shine each day. They are Easter people. Though they live in dire poverty, they are rich in Hope and Joy.
Deacon Ed on the streets of Kibera
Today we celebrate the second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday and in many Christian communities Holy Humor Sunday.

It may seem like an odd combination of celebrations, but there is a connection. Every person on this planet is a beneficiary of God’s divine mercy, It is only by God’s that we have life. Every blessing we have comes from God’s mercy, not our own achievements. Easter Challenges each of us to leave our tombs and live in the Light of Christ. It also invites us to remove the rocks that keep our brothers and sisters in tombs. We have nothing to fear, Mungu Yupo, God is here. That should you and me something to smile about!

When every person on this planet is finally free from their tombs, and creation is restored to its pristine beauty, Jesus will surely smile, the whole planet will finally shout for Joy, and Easter will never End!

Ed Solomon is a deacon of the Albany Diocese and a Maryknoll Deacon Mission Partner.

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