I mentioned in one sabbatical report about our traveling by car from Paris to Taize' this past summer.  We arrived in the village of Taize' expecting to see thousands of pilgrims.  We found a lane of about eight houses and a few cattle.  It was then we learned there are three Taize's in France and we were about 6 hours from the one we wanted.

Before admitting to myself and the three women with me (who were waiting for their husband and dad to admit what they already knew), I kept thinking, "It must be here somewhere."  Finally finding  the courage to shed testosterone and confess we were lost, my daughters replied, "Dad, this has been great.  We are seeing things we would never have seen had we not gotten lost." 

In the days and weeks after the resurrection, the followers of Jesus are lost.  They are seeing things, hearing things, not at all familiar to what they know.  They are adrift.  They are lost.

We have heard many images of this lostness during Easter Season: Charlotte Cleghorn- "the old maps are not of use."  Bishop Taylor- "We have to leave the 6th grade."  The Israelites have to wander in wilderness before they can find promised land.  "If you lose your life, you will find it."  Lostness seems to be a spiritual gift, a spiritual virtue.  It is only those who are willing to get lost who ever find their way.

I wonder, what would it be like to live in a culture where we gave awards for being lost?

Blessed Easter Season,

Todd Donatelli