Keawalaʻi Congregational Church
United Church of Christ (USA)
Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009
The Rev. Kealahou C. Alika
“The Promise of New Life” Matthew 27:57-66 & Matthew 28:1-10
The first time I saw the turtles at the black sand beach at Punaluʻu on the island of Hawaiʻi, they surprised me. There were so many of them, heads bobbing above the surface of the water.
I remember that day well. The volcanic sand shimmered in the noon day sun. Onshore winds swept across the open ocean, pushing waves over the shallow reef along the shoreline.
I've always had a deep affection for nā honu, or the green sea turtles of our islands. Whenever I find myself troubled and unable to make clear decisions, I go for a walk on the beach. It can be at Hāʻena on the island of Kauaʻi, Moʻomomi on Molokaʻi, or here in Mākena.
And on those walks, I would inevitably see a honu and things would begin to make sense. Long, long ago the story is told about a green sea turtle named Kauila. It is said that Kauila could change herself into a girl to watch over the children playing at Punaluʻu.
When Kauila's mother dug her nest, a fresh water spring surged upward, quenching the children's thirst. It is said that Kauila is the “mythical mother” of all turtles, and perhaps of our children as well.
Some of us may want to dismiss the story of Kauila altogether, convinced that such a story could not possibly be true. Of course the spring exists but not because a turtle dug a nest down too deep. We want to explain the presence of the spring at Punaluʻu in geological terms. And as for a turtle becoming a human being, how can that be?
But the story of Kauila is much more than the fanciful imagination of a storyteller. Within the story itself we learn of a mother's love for her children. We learn of a mother watching over her children at play and providing them with water to quench their thirst.
Long ago the story is told that after Jesus died, a man named Joseph asked for his body. Joseph took Jesus' body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in a tomb.
It is said that the priests became concerned that someone might steal the body and then say that Jesus was alive. They remembered that Jesus said, “After three days I will rise again.”
The tomb is eventually secured. But on the first day of the week a great earthquake struck and an angel came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The angel spoke to the women who were at the tomb that day: “Do not be afraid. I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified but he is not here; for he has been raised the dead, as he said.” The angel then instructed the women to go and tell the disciples that they will see Jesus in Galilee. So they left the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to tell his disciples.
And it came to pass that Jesus met them.
We have heard the story often enough that we accept the details of an earthquake, a flash of lighting, and a dead person coming back to life without hesitation. Why is that?
The story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is, in some ways, no different than the story of Kauila. Both stories teach us a truth. If the value of the story of Kauila is about a mother's love for her children than the story of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is about a mother's love for her son and more. It is a story about family. It is a story that teaches us that death does not have the final say.
For all the pain and suffering and despair death may bring, the good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ is God’s promise of new life. On a day such as this, we have cause to give thanks to God. Amen.
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In a moment, a dear friend of our church, Jamie Lawrence, will come to share his beautiful music, and Keʻala Pasco, a member of our church and our choir, will offer us the gift of her hula. They will share with you "Mele ʻOhana," a song that celebrates love for our families...for today, though we may not be related by koko, or blood, we are all part of ke Akua's ʻohana.
Today I feel very grateful as I reflect on this past Easter. My ʻohana was there, as they always are. I am so blessed to have such an incredibly affectionate, funny, loving + supportive family! Yes, that day I danced for the greater ʻohana that is ke Akua's...but as always, I danced this mele especially for my very own ʻohana. Mahalo ke Akua no kuʻu ʻohana makamae!
