A Reflection for Easter: A Transformation From Within
Table Talk
Setting the Table
You are welcome here. Take a moment to take in the space that is around you. Listen carefully to the sounds. Allow your body to be where it is, whether you are sitting or standing or enjoying a walk. Take a couple of deep breaths and remember that you are loved.
Consider the way a caterpillar spends its entire existence on a journey to become something new.
We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.
― Attributed to Maya Angelou
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are made new.
Food for Thought
When I was in elementary school, one of my favorite books was The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle. My teacher once read it to the class and I loved how each page guided us along this tiny caterpillar’s journey of metamorphosis by way of food. You probably know the story, too, of how this little guy eats his way through countless treats, stuffing himself so full that he builds a “small house” for himself and enjoys a little rest. After a journey like that, I can only imagine that he found himself in the ultimate food coma. But eventually he nibbles a little hole in the cocoon and out comes a beautiful butterfly.
The brilliant colors of the butterfly in Carle’s book captured the imagination of our class. We were amazed by the transformation of this little caterpillar who now had wings to fly.
After reading the book to us, my teacher brought a butterfly kit to class so we could watch this wonderful process in action. What I remember most about this experience was the anticipation of the butterfly emerging from its cocoon. I also remember asking myself, “What happens inside that cocoon?”
I was recently reading this book with my daughter and found myself wondering that same question again... so I looked it up!
As it turns out, I was completely wrong about the food coma! Apparently, there is no rest happening inside of a cocoon. As the caterpillar experiences its metamorphosis, the old body dies away and a new body forms. The cells completely shift and the caterpillar’s body is broken down from the inside out. It’s honestly hard to understand how this process is even possible, but what I do understand is that it does not come easily. Hard work and patience are required to make this transformation happen.
It’s hard for me not to draw parallels between this metamorphosis, and the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. On this Easter Sunday, we remember the renewal of all life that is offered through Jesus’ sacrificial love. We celebrate the transformation that comes in knowing that we are deeply loved – for love’s sake!
It is this same sort of transformation that makes disciples out of strangers, that makes friends of fishermen and tax collectors, that makes dinner guests out of wanderers. It’s a renewal of heart that blesses the poorest, that elevates the last to first, that calls the rich to give away their wealth. It’s a resurrection of the soul that led Jesus to this most audacious command – that we are to love one another with as much care, attention, grace, and forgiveness as we love ourselves.
This kind of love offers a transformation of soul and self – a resurrection of life as we know it – and sends us from the empty tomb with faith for our doubting, and with hope for our despair. In Easter we find the assurance that life and love have not only been revealed to us in Christ’s living, but are possible, even now through Jesus, the resurrected Christ, who strengthens us and inspires us to the work of being a blessing to the world.
Can you imagine the life this world would experience if we opened ourselves in this way?
We are all called to this kind of radical transformation – a metamorphosis much like the caterpillar, that allows us to be broken down from the inside out. It is sometimes painful work, but if we are willing to let ourselves be changed, we can be transformed into a completely new way of being – one filled with miraculous and life-giving possibility.
It is a metamorphosis of love that, emerging within each one of us, has the ability to transform not only our own hearts and lives, but the hearts and lives of the communities around us.
Take a few minutes on a sunny day to study the butterflies. Admire the brilliant colors of their wings and consider the ambitious, persistent caterpillar from which it evolved.
If going outside isn’t possible for you, try drawing or coloring a butterfly or beautiful spring flowers.
For a printable version of today's reflection, download our For Love's Sake eBook! For the kid's version, check out our For Love's Sake Kids eBook!
Blessing
God of New Life,
Help us to see the possibility that exists within us, and help us to see how our own transformations can offer beauty to the world around us.
Amen.
A little Table Talk for your table...
What comes to mind when you think about transformation? Is the concept scary to you? Do you find it hard to be patient as you wait for change to take place?
Is there a transformation you’ve been intending to make within yourself? Write about what your hope is and what might be holding you back?
What is a small step you can make today to open yourself to transformation already at work within you?
Try taking it to the Kids Table...
Have your kiddo draw and color their own butterfly! How many different colors can they use to decorate your butterfly’s wings?
Take your kids with you on a butterfly watch – if it’s too early for butterflies where you live, seek out a butterfly garden, or look at pictures of butterflies in a book or online resource. Encourage them to admire and appreciate the butterflies that flutter by, and discuss with them the wondrous miracle of nature that gives life to those beautiful creatures.
Ask your kiddo if there is a positive change they would like to make within themselves – do they want to improve in a school subject or sport, do they feel like they could be kinder to a sibling, etc. How can you lovingly encourage them in their transformation?
Meet our Welcoming Voice!
The Welcome Table Team - We are “The Bunce Girls!” Originally from Lexington, North Carolina, we were raised surrounded by music, justice, and faith. We spent most of our Sunday afternoons gathered around an open table with family and friends where the food was plentiful, stories and laughter connected our hearts, and where the presence of each individual was held sacred. It’s those moments that have inspired The Welcome Table.
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Here are Five Things to Remember When Setting Your Own Welcome Table!