Let me wish you a happy belated Groundhog day. I’m reminded of the story about the pastor who was giving a young people’s message. It was Easter Sunday and he asked his kids, “What does Easter mean to you?”

He got a number of responses about Easter eggs, candy and bunnies. He was getting a little worried when he heard a kid say, “Easter is the day when Jesus came out of the tomb.”

Refreshed, he asked the young person if there was anything else he knew about Easter.

“Yes,” replied the little fellow, “If Jesus sees his shadow there will be six more weeks of winter!”

I’ve always enjoyed Groundhog day, after weeks of cabin fever, it is a time to have some fun.

We can thank out German ancestors for bringing it to America, although there it was celebrated with badgers.

Of course, regardless of shadow or no shadow there will be six more weeks of winter. It does make sense to me, knowing a little about weather. Clouds form a layer of insulation, keeping the heat in on our planet. No clouds, no heat, no heat, more cold. With more cold, the more we feel winter’s wrath.

It was my pleasure to know a couple human groundhogs. Two fellows of my acquaintance were born on Groundhog’s day. However, I know especially this time of year, we all can wish to be human groundhogs, safe in our warm confines of our burrows.

My fear is, given technology and aftermath of COVID isolation, we all can be groundhogs, when God calls to make an appearance in the world.

“Cocooning” was a phrase that came in our vocabulary some years back. Computers, hundreds of television channels (I remember when you had the big choice in the Philly area of watching channels 3, 6 or 10) and a growing trend toward isolation seems to bear this out.

Many years ago, in a stewardship class we talked about, “Economy versus Autonomy.” Our word “economy” is formed from the Greek word “oikos” meaning house. We seem to be moving from, literally, “the rule of the house” to “the rule of the self.” I find it easy myself to cocoon with my books, and various gadgets and gizmos.

Yet Jesus called us, a few weeks ago, in the church lectionary lesson, to be “The Light of World.”

He calls us from our burrows to be ambassadors in a world blinded by sin, hatred and bigotry.

I’ll never forget hearing a story of how during a civil war in Africa our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters reached out by shortwave radio to ask if there was anything they could send in relief. They heard, “Send us clerical shirts and collars.”

Thinking it odd, they asked if there was a misunderstanding.

“There is no misunderstanding, send us clerical shirts and collars! If someone is dying, or grieving or in prison, they need to know their priest is visible.”

The priest who shared that story quickly expanded it out to what Lutherans would call the “priesthood of all believers.” I’ll never forget his words, “God does not need secret agents!!!!”

To see one’s shadow, one must stand in light source. For Christians, we may bask in literally light of the Son. Corporate worship, private devotion, acts of prayer, study and service are all ways we connect. In the New Testament the shadow was considered an extension of the person. In the fifth chapter of The Book of Acts, people are brought to St. Peter that his shadow might heal them. How might we cast a shadow, illuminated by the light of Christ?

Grounded in Christ, may we come for from our burrows to serve out Lord. Don’t be a groundhog, be a grounded hero. Be a wonderful creature of God grounded in God’s love. Invite that neighbor to church, volunteer for a food pantry. Speak to someone who has cocooned himself or herself, because of sorrow or fear. In February, our church celebrates the festival of the Transfiguration. Jesus is seen shining in the glory of God. Like Peter we may want to stay up on the mount with Jesus, but we are called to be active in the world. May we go up the mountain to shine and come down from it to serve.

You never know where your shadow may fall. A pastor friend once remarked that he had had a very busy week, and could only put together a simple sermon. He had a splitting headache the day of the church service. Yet a parishioner congratulated him, “That’s one of the best sermons you’ve ever preached.”

Baseball season reminds us to “swing for fences.” Pray this week, come out of your burrow, leave the dugout, step up to plate, and let it rip as a grounded hero for Christ. God definitely does not need secret agents ...