Happy Earth-ster

The young monk made his way across the muddy courtyard. Despite his resolve and urgent manner he managed to admire the new daffodils out of the corner of his eye. Normally he'd pick a few for the supper table, but today the flowers would have to wait. Urgent matters pressed him forward.

He made his way to the familiar wooden door of the church. He carried with him another scroll of grievances and a hammer and nails. He knew the route by heart which was good because he had to navigate around puddles and could barely look ahead. Once his downcast eyes saw the familiar stone steps his adrenaline surged as he adjusted the nails and scroll to prepare to pound them on the door.

As he assembled the items in one hand and the hammer in another, he looked up ready to strike. However, he froze mid swing;  half in shock and half in confusion. Instead of the heavy wooden door there was a glass door with a metallic frame.

The monk craned his neck around looking to see if he was in the right place. The courtyard was all the same except for the place he stood. Instead of the centuries old stone facade with it's large, thick, wooden door there was now a glass door with large metal framed windows across the front. Inside he could see a brightly lit room with chairs and tables. He had never been to New York, probably because New York hadn't been founded yet, but if he had, the monk would have thought he was in front of a trendy New York cafe.

Unable to think of another course of action he tapped on the glass door lightly with the wooden end of his hammer. Within moments the portly Father Superior opened the door. This time, however, his usually dour and cross persona was gone. In its place was a jovial smile stretched across his once stern face.

"Ah, brother Martin, good to see you.", he boomed. Come in. What can I start for you?"

Martin was speechless. The Father Superior posed more of an oddity than the transformed building. The corpulent leader of the abbey was dressed as a bunny and was wearing a green apron.

The Father, sensing his confusion, asked him the same question this time a little softer and slower: "Brother Martin, what can I start for you?"

Martin: "I, uh, I am not sure what you mean. I am here to post some new theses on the door, but my nails would only break that glass."

Father: "Theses? Oh, yeah, you like to crank out the theses. I remember Halloween, which you and your buddies now claim as Reformation Day. Reformation Day? Like that's going to catch on. Then you had that little incident at the White House over Sanctity of Life Sunday. How was Gitmo by the way? I heard they kept it open just for you."

Martin: "Gitmo was pretty hard. I would tell you about it, but you can't handle the truth. I've come to reform today's holiday."

Father: "Reform it?!? It's doing great. Its become quite popular. Sales are through the roof."

Martin: "What are you talking about, and what is this place anyway?"

Father: "Well, since your last reformation stunt killed indulgence income, we've branched out to raise funds. We've converted this first floor into a Starbucks."

Martin: "That explains why the picture that I thought was Christ on all the cups looks like a mermaid. So what do you do here?"

Father: (proudly), " I am no longer Father Superior. I am now Father Barista."

Martin: (rolling his eyes) "At least it sounds Latin." (Gathering himself and reasserting his purpose.) "What do you mean the holiday is doing great? It's been forgotten, cheapened and abused by our culture."

Father: "Martin, you are way out of touch. Things couldn't be better. Our sales are skyrocketing. People love it. It makes them feel like they're doing good, and they've tapped into something transcendent."

Martin, (more bewildered than ever): "Sales?!? How does today help you sell anything?  What day do you think today is?"

Father: "It's Earth Day of course and we have 20% off recycled material mugs and if you bring your own mug in we give you a discounted drink. We're lovin' the earth and loving our customers."

Martin, (becoming animated): "You fool! Its not Earth Day its Good Friday!!"

Father, (smugly chuckling): "I beg to differ, its not a good Friday, its a great Friday. We've doubled what we've sold the rest of the week."

Martin: "Father Baris....er....Father, today is Good Friday. The day Christ took our sin to the cross. He suffered a painful death, but even more agonizing was dying with all our sin on Him. He did that just to save you and I from eternal punishment."

Father: "I appreciate Easter Sunday and all. Its very affirming and upbeat. But Good Friday can't hold a candle (which on Earth Day is better than a light bulb) to Earth Day. All that suffering, sin and death. How depressing. What are we supposed to do all day. Sit around and think about our sin?"

Martin: "Yes!"

Father: "Are you crazy? Look at this place. We're selling a story of urban chic. You come here to feel trendy, relevant, and relaxed. If we pushed Good Friday instead of Earth Day nobody would come. Who wants to contemplate their sin over a carmel machiatto? Besides, your talk of eternal punishment is more than a little passe'. Haven't you read the latest best seller? Hell is so 1400's. You and Ghandi should just chill over a scone and a couple of chai tea lattes."

Martin, (dejected): "Are you saying people's dislike for Hell and their own sin has caused Good Friday to become unpopular and forgotten?"

Father (sarcastically), "Ding, ding, ding, ding.....Give the man a free capacino. You can read all about it in my new book, Marketing Wins."

Martin: "But why does the earth need help?  I'll tell you why, because it is cursed because of our sin. All creation groans because you and I love ourselves more than we love God. In fact, left to ourselves we resist, reject, and hate Him. We must realize that not only do we need faith to have His righteousness put on ourselves, but even our faith comes from Him. We are dead in our sin."

Father: "Wow, you are a negative person. I could never hire you as a barista."

Martin, (newly determined): "I don't care. I am a sinner, and so are you. Celebrating the resurrection without contemplating our sin and deserved punishment empties the Gospel and the life, death and resurrection of Christ and real meaning. We need Christ because we are lost in our sin, and we must always remember that.  Now, where can I post my theses?"

Father: "If I weren't so customer oriented, I would start calling you Martin Loser again. Give them to me. I will tape them to the window for you right here next to the poster for our Earth Day Egg Hunt."

Let us reflect on the condition of our world by remembering why it is cursed - because of our sin. Take time to reflect on Scripture like Psalm 51 and the passion story at the end of each of the Gospels. Remembering and being aware of our sin will heighten our awareness and excitement of Sunday.

He is risen indeed!