Nouwen speaks often of his experiences in the L'Arche community where he and others lived among persons with varying physical and mental challenges, not just as caregivers, but as brothers and sisters, co-equals before God. In the context of resurrection he speaks of their bodies being made new. He is careful to point out however, that their existence now is not a diminished one. He writes, "The body is not a prison to escape from, but a temple in which God already dwells, and in which God's glory will be fully manifested on the day of the resurrection." (p.178) We are not a captive people who wait only for the return of Christ or for our journey to him in death. God lives and dwells among us. "The Word became flesh..." and we are the benefactors today. Easter Sunday calls us to embrace once more the peace that is offered through the Holy Spirit, and the living hope that dwells within us through the resurrected Christ. With that in mind, we pray with Nouwen, "Make us new through your Spirit, so that we too may rise and walk in the light of life." Amen my brothers and sisters. Christ is risen...He is risen indeed!
JKA
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