I was having lunch today in the hospital cafeteria with some other doctors when a lady passed by, looked at me, and said hello.  I remembered her as a radiology technologist in our hospital, and the last time I spoke to her was one or two years ago. I did not remember her name.  I smiled and said hello back, and I returned to my conversation.

A minute later she passed by again, looked at me again, and this time she said “He is risen!”

I looked up and she had a radiant smile on her face. Time slowed down for a few seconds and I remembered meeting her a few years ago in the interventional suite while she was setting up her equipment. To my surprise she was blasting Jesus music in that God-forsaken radiology room where no anesthesiologist ever wants to do a case.  I remembered telling her that it was a pleasure working with someone who loves Jesus and is not ashamed of his gospel. She seemed very happy that she found a brother in Christ who happened to be a physician, and the sentiment was mutual.

This time I made eye contact and said “Amen, Amen!”

I should have answered with the traditional eastern Christian salutation “Truly, He has risen!” I missed the opportunity, but such is the situation when one is surprised…

This greeting is not practiced as much here in the United States, but this wiki page shows the various countries where it is the norm around Easter.

This beautiful exchange was significant because it showed me once again that while we as believers are living in the world, we are not alone. We have other believers around us, and God uses them to encourage us.

Our love for God unites us.

The Resurrection unites us.

So let it ring… Christ  is risen!