Weekly Readings Reflections: Easter Sunday

Our readings for Easter Sunday are:

Before this reading from Acts, God tells Cornelius to send for Peter, even though Cornelius is a Roman. After this reading, the Holy Spirit rushes in on all present, interrupting what Peter doubtless thought was a really top-notch homily. God loves the unexpected.
How do you prepare and train for your ministry?
How do you know that you have prepared enough?
How do you "let go and let God" when you minister to others?
Is it possible to be over prepared?

It's sometimes hard to make sense of current events, the world around us, the decisions that our leaders make. Thinking back to simpler times, we can wish that we were still there in some measure. But the only day that God gives us to live is this day.
What are some of the things that have occurred in your life that have led to where you are today?
Did you anticipate where you are now back when those things were occurring?
What are some things that you can rejoice in today because of where your life has taken you?
Would you have it any other way?

Bystander syndrome happens when those witnessing some brutality do nothing, each believing that someone else will step in and set things right. The same can be said about telling the truth.
When you need to make decisions about controversial matters, how do you discern God's will?
Do you think that God always has an opinion?
Is it worth it to speak up against evil even if you don't think it will do any good?

The Gospel readings for the past few weeks have all featured a journey, a gradual awakening to the new reality that was dawning in Jesus. Easter is no different. It is only gradually that the full meaning of the empty tomb becomes evident. That could just mean that we are slow, or that God in His mercy is gentle in leading His people, or that the journey itself cannot be rushed.
Have you ever looked for Jesus in some place, some position, some ministry, and He wasn't there?
If He wasn't where/when you were looking for Him, where was he?
How did you eventually find Jesus in that circumstance?
Wouldn't it be nice if, when Jesus moves on to something new, that someone could stand up and announce "Jesus has left the building."

He's Gone

We barely had time to get His broken body safe into the tomb
Before the start of yet another Sabbath.

Sabbath always looked forward to the coming Messiah
Always wondering, will He come today, this week, this year?

Freedom He promised, freedom from fear, death, corruption
Freedom to finally enter that inner Promised Land.

I know in my heart that He stood, walked, prayed, sang and ate
Among us, tabernacled among us and even in us.

And strange as it is, He rejoiced in that presence and intimacy
Flesh to flesh, eye to eye, hand to hand, heart to heart.

Until one day, our people's fears screamed louder than our hope
We tore His flesh from our own midst, hung Him on a tree.

Hoping that by doing so we could cling to a restless, and false peace
By turning our backs on that flickering flame of hope.

Its after Sabbath, the taste of ashes in my mouth. I come to honor Him
Grant Him one last dignity by anointing that body that He gave away.

There is nothing more than I can do to honor His name, His memory
His love, than to hold His shattered hand one last time.

I will never forget those eyes of love, wonder, mercy, courage.
He must have known it would end this way, and yet He gave all He had.

An now, even that one last duty is denied me, denied all of us.
There is no body to honor, no flesh to sob over, no home for Him even in death.

Peter and John will be back soon. I must find the courage to face them.
And somehow find a way to live with a shattered heart.

Shalom!

Weekly Readings Reflections