Vi veri universum vivus vici – “By the power of truth, I, while living, have conquered the universe”.
In a number of both Eastern and Western meditative traditions, the principle of dying before you die is taught and practiced.
Christ, in his physical presence, could only traverse the geographic locations of his home, walking in sandals in the desert. As he went about he shared of his life presence “and Jesus perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him”.
In the garden of gethsemane, as Christ sweat great drops of blood, I believe he went through the greatest most triumphant die before you die, or better, while living he conquered the universe of all humankind experience, one that expanded beyond the personal, and reached out into the cosmos. I wonder if at this time he freely released within himself that power, or virtue, that he felt leave him as he healed, saved, forgave, and loved the world. Finally, in the last hours of his crucifixion, he forgave us all “for we know not what we do” and then he returned with his father in Heaven.
Now on Easter morning, as we approach the tomb and find it empty, we too, like the apostles of old who knew and loved him during his life, we get to ponder the words and opportunity before us “Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”
The kingdom of God is in the midst of you.
And like a wave with the epicenter being The Empty Tomb, Christ’s power has come to all the world. That Cosmic Covenant, more ancient and deeply abiding than the covenant of Moses, the one that all of the ancient fathers and mothers walked into, having died before they died, having been given a new name, walking in the inner kingdom of heaven where Christ sits as God of this world on his eternal throne in the holy of holies, the kpr or covering or atonement with him, we too are invited to find that inner kingdom, to walk the Christ path, to meet our Savior face to face, and to hear him know our name.
Christ is not dead, for he is risen. “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
“Earth’s crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God; But only he who sees takes off his shoes”. – Elizabeth Barret Browning Aurora Leigh
Have you found your own burning bush? Have you taken off your shoes and approached? Have you died to your old self and old way of life? Have you, while living, conquered your own personal universe?
The Empty Tomb invites you …..
Breathings 