Kahu's Manao
Keawala‘i Congregational Church
United Church of Christ (USA)
Easter Sunday
Sunday, March 23, 2008
The Rev. Kealahou C. Alika
“For God So Loved the World”
Matthew
27:57-66 & Matthew 28:1-10
Job
19:25-26 & 1 Corinthians 13:12
“Today will be baby Rowena’s first Easter,” Angela said with great joy. As
a parent today will become a memory for her that will last a lifetime. As
for Rowena, she will carry not the memory of this day but the memory of
her mother’s story.
For Chieko this will be the first Easter without her father. He died
last year after a prolonged illness and though she was able to prepare
for his death, it was still difficult for her when the moment finally came.
Kamana‘o will remember today because within a couple of months he will
be graduating from high school. By the end of this summer he will
be on his way to Oregon. It’s not clear whether or not he will be
able to return home next spring and so for Kamana‘o this Easter is one
of mixed emotions – of leaving home for the first time and of being unsure
about what the future holds.
Kathleen was let go from her job last week. All that talk over the
last several weeks about an economic slowdown and the fear of a recession
is no longer just talk. The worry of what to do next weighs heavily
on Kathleen today.
Michael and Ann made the difficult decision a few days ago to bring their
relationship to an end. They agreed it was best, even for the children,
if they divorced - too many misunderstandings, too many hurts.
Mary’s cough had gotten a little better over the last few days. All
through the years both she and her husband, Joshua, always attended the
service on Easter Sunday. Joshua was determined that this year was
going to be no different.
But as they were getting dressed this morning, Joshua wondered if this
might not be their last Easter together. Mary's cough was different
this time.
As we gather here this morning we come with Rowena and Angela, with Chieko,
Kamana‘o, Kathleen, Michael, Ann, Mary and Joshua. We come filled
with joy and sadness, worry and hope.
We come this day as did Mary Magdalene and Mary on that first Easter day
uncertain about what we will find; uncertain about whether or not the miracle
of the resurrection will make any difference in any of our lives.
The story of Job may seem an unlikely source for a message on a day such
as this. Yet it forms the core of the anthem our choir sang only
a moment ago: "I know that my Redeemer lives?"
We remember the story of Job's suffering and of his struggle to come to
terms with his relationship with God. We remember how he was deprived
of his wealth, posterity and health. We remember how he was rejected
by the society in which he lived, even by the most intimate circle of his
household, family, and friends.
Despite all of his suffering he clings tenaciously to his faith. "I
know," Job declares, "that my Redeemer lives." And
in that declaration is the message of Easter.
It is a simple yet profound message. There is no debate. No
argument.
Job's declaration was made in light of his relationship with God. It
would not be until that first Easter that others would come to make that
same declaration in light of their relationship with Jesus.
For Joseph of Arimathea who took Jesus' body, wrapped it in a clean linen
cloth and laid it in his own new tomb and for Mary and Mary Magdalene who
were there that day and after the Sabbath and for others who would encounter
the Risen Christ, Job's declaration of faith would be echoed in their declarations
of faith. "He lives."
Or as we used to sing in church when I was growing up, "He lives. He
lives. Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and he talks with
me along life's narrow way. He lives. He lives, salvation to
impart! You ask me how I know he lives? He lives within my
heart." (He Lives, Alfred H. Ackley, The Rodeheaver Company,
1933.
I know that like Job we also struggle whenever we are faced with our own
pain and suffering. We wonder what will become of us. We find
ourselves looking in a glass dimly aware there is so much we do not understand.
I also know that despite whatever may be happening in our own lives that
Job’s declaration of faith is our declaration of faith: “I know that
my Redeemer lives.”
And in that knowing we declare that faith, hope and love abide, but the
greatest of these is love. It is this love with which God so loved
the world – not just you and me as human beings – but the whole world including
this very special place we call Mākena.
Over the years many songs have been written about Mākena and about Keawala‘i. Some
of you remember the late Uncle Jesse Nakooka. He wrote the lyrics
for the song, "Beautiful Mākena."
Several other songs have been written. About fourteen years ago I
invited someone whose ancestors are from this area if she would consider
writing a new song about Mākena.
“What do you mean?” she asked. Rather than answering her directly,
I decided to sit down one day and write what I felt about this place: "Here
in the beauty of Mākena, I return. The sea surrounding the bay at
Keawala‘i beckons me, come. As the seasons change and the years go
by, I will return to the beauty of Mākena."
I sent the words to her and not long after that she replied, "That
sounds good to me." I tried to explain that I wanted her to
write the song and the more we talked the more I realized we were now collaborating
with each other. I would provide her with the lyrics and she would
work with someone on providing a Hawaiian interpretation and then we would
call on one of our kupuna or elders to come up with the music
or melody for the song.
It was out of that collaboration that "Ka Nani O Mākena" was
born. In a moment Jamie Lawrence, a good friend of our church, will
come to sing the song and Ke‘ala Pasco, a member of our church, will dance.
The song describes this place as a place of peaceful rest. It tells
the presence of those who have gone before us and it warns of the changes
that are coming to the surrounding area.
It concludes by saying, "So I will tell the story of the beauty of
Mākena, of this place that beckons me, Come. As the seasons change
and the years go by, I will always return to the beauty of Mākena."
We will tell the story, a story born in the faith and hope of our ancestors;
a story born about the love for which God so loved the world. We will tell
the story of the beauty of Mākena and we will tell the story of the One
who lives in our hearts.
Alleluia. Amen.