“Remember what Jesus said to you, while he was still in Galilee….”

Fresh on the heels of the proclamation that Jesus is risen, these next words are said to the women at the empty tomb. Remember.

The messengers are trying to help them comprehend and understand what has happened.

By inviting them to remember, the dazzling ones are showing them that Jesus had prepared them for this: that he had spoken of his death and rising in his time together in Galilee.

Remembering is a very important and helpful thing in a time of loss and trauma: to stop, look back, and recall something that gives meaning to the present, helps it make sense, helps one accept and receive it. This act of remembering can be very healing and therapeutic, a remarkable curative.

Remembering that seeks meaning and clarity and is fueled by new insight can be a balm in grief. It is holy hindsight.

The messengers are trying to help these grieving beloveds of Jesus begin the process of holy remembering and the spiritual work of resurrection comprehension: resurrection believing. Jesus had told them of this, but they didn’t understand it at the time. Now, as they stand at the vacant tomb, angel-guided, they begin to look back and remember. Understanding is coming. “Ahh, now, I see. I didn’t at the time, but now I see what he was telling us.”

Holy remembering. Holy hindsight.

Perhaps you know something of this experience of holy remembering, of holy hindsight. Perhaps you have had a time when looking back revealed a connection of things not present to you when the event occurred. There is something mystical about this kind of remembering. The truth, the love, the sequence of events was there all along but somewhat hidden. It is not until we look back on it through the eyes of loss that we are able to see the connections and threads of holiness. Comfort is found in this way of remembering. It can bring peace.

The sting of grief is lessened with hindsight that reveals to us deeper meaning and love shared but not felt at the time.

Remember. Listen to these dazzlers. “Remember what Jesus told you…..”

Prayer: Holy One, thank you for the gift and ability to remember. To see the gifts missed then but now received. Thank you for clarity and new insights that bring comfort. You have been there all along. You are here now. You with us always. Amen. Alleluia.