I can remember as a young person asking my minister if there is such a thing as ghost and he said, “no” It was a pretty definite “no” As it turns out that life for me, and many others that “no” not so definite.  As I believe the saints of heaven surround us every once in a while the vale between worlds thins and we may find we have that spiritual, ghostly encounter.   

Consider last weeks Thomas and Jesus story. We spend our time talking about Thomas but maybe fail to ask the question.  If all the doors were locked then how did Jesus get in? The same with next encounter with Thomas.  There was the whole fish thing on the beach.   Then there is the event on the Road to Emmaus. They sit at table Jesus breaks bread and vanishes.  Was he there bodily or was he spirit? Then there is today’s gospel same thing.  Jesus say Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.  In what is known as the gnostic gospels those writing that did not make it into the what we know as the Canonical Bible, there are whole series of story where Jesus appears and disappears even before the Easter event.   This idea of Human and Spirit. 

 Today we see that mystical encounter followed by realization of the reality of Jesus presence.  Then Joy. 

Again I feel it is important to understand, the gospels are being written at least hundred years after the Easter event. Early Church needs this link between themselves and Christ.   The gospelers draw this bridge between the earthly Jesus and the Spiritual Jesus. To anchor Jesus as fully human, who died and rose in corporeal form from the grave and yet this Spiritual being that is encountered not only by those that knew Jesus but the Saints that followed.   

I believe in God, who has created, and I believe Jesus as fully human, who died and rose in corporeal form from the grave and yet this Spiritual being and I believe in the presence of God and wisdom of Jesus in the Spirit of God which Jesus promises in the Pentecost event as I am assured do many of you.  But, still a sign a hint a glimpse of the divine although not necessary might be nice. 

 What if that is offered and we miss it or interpret from the rational stand point as compared to the divine.  

The Path of totality.  This Past Monday was a day.  I cuddled in a snuggly sweater on the deck. Special glasses, camera. Scarlett couldn’t care less that this was a once in a generation thing.  I was throwing the ball. There where clouds. I truly thought well at least it will get dark. Then just as it was beginning the clouds started to part. As we moved closer to the time of totality the skis began to clear. And you could see this wondrous sight.   Light slowly changed and then in the moment, darkness, but not darkness. Darkness visible. A breeze came up and the temperature changed, a coldness descended.  And then the light begins to return. 

Yes, I was gifted several very good photographs.  I would have had a really good photograph had it not been for an ill-timed cloud. Oh well. 

Of course it was the lead story in the evening news.    I was taken by seeing the crowds. They stood in awe and wonder.   Some were visibly emotional. Some spoke how this was a deep spiritual moment. Some stood embracing renewing vows of love.   Some places work stopped and people went outside.  One lad said it was the best day off school of his life. I listened to one person speak. They said That when moon completely covered the sun it was like nothing they had experienced and as it past and the light began to come back everyone stood in an awed silence some people with tears. They stood like that for five minutes taking in what had just happened. And then everyone began to cheer and talk about what they had seen. 

They said to be in the shadow of the moon, knowing that the whole universe was in motion and that we had just witnessed a moment of that motion was a humbling moment. 

Another spoke of how this event reminded us that we are one people sharing one planet and in this brief moment people within the path of totality stopped and looked up as one people

For some I imagine the question would have been what is the hype why the fuss? It’s just eclipse happens all the time. 

Well it will be another 120 years before we are once again in the path of totality.