When resurrection is unwanted

The Raising of Lazarus    (Painting by Duccio)

Although Christians generally think of Jesus when they hear   the word “resurrection,” other traditions have spoken of the dead rising.  These events have also been termed “resurrections.”

The Latin word resurrectio stems from a combination of two terms:  rego (“to make straight”), plus sub (“under”).  Put the two

together, and you’ve got surrectum (“to rise,” i.e., to stand up straight after physically lying “down under,” so to speak).  Add a re to the beginning, and you’ve got resurrectio (“to rise up again”).

Thus a person, or a god, who was once standing can now stand up again.  This is great news concerning Jesus, but is it great news concerning all those who have left this world? Think of some ruthless dictators who once lived.  Would things go well if they were to rise again?

Keeping this in mind makes it somewhat easier to understand the ancient Roman practice of “vampire burials.”  Such burials, designed to physically prevent a body from resurrecting, particularly occurred during killer epidemics.

Because survivors felt threatened and helpless, they took what they thought were preventive measures.  Therefore, when a child died of malaria, an egg-sized rock was placed in the mouth in order to keep the body from rising.  Today this seems cruel and superstitious, as will some of our own practices 1500 years from now. 

                                                              

Resources                                                                                                     https://www.washingtonpost.com/science/2018/10/15/archaeologists-find-vampire-burial-site-child-feared-capable-rising-dead/?utm_term=.743649c2635c

Copyright October 15, 2018 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved