2nd Sunday of Easter

Our readings for the 2nd Sunday of Easter:

1. Acts 5: 12-16
2. Psalms 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24
3. Revelation 1: 9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
4. John 20: 19-31

• Doing the work of Jesus
• My nephew once sported a T-shirt with the image of a bearded man, in a long flowing robe, hang gliding, with the caption "what wouldn't Jesus do?"  You have to wonder how those early disciples were able to decide how to go about being Jesus' Presence in their world with Him no longer there to give them advice.
• How have you been inspired by Jesus in your life?
• How have other people, perhaps closer to home, inspired you to live differently, maybe more generously, or more boldly?
• What do you think it really means to imitate Christ?
  

• Opening up to joy
• Imagine yourself suffused with a joy that is unquenchable, that triumphs over whatever you experience, not by tamping down those hurts, but by transforming them into avenues for grace.
• What gives you the most joy in your life?
• What is it about that which makes your heart soar?
• How has that joy changed you through the years?
  

• Sharing your distress
• Distress, stress, trauma, tragedy, call it what you will, all of these can isolate us from those closest to us.  We can feel cut off from our loved ones because our pain puts us into a strange, unexplored twilight that is all but unreachable.
• How have you found it possible to reach out to others in great pain?
• How did you learn that?
• Why do you think it makes a difference how you reach out to, touch those in need?
• How has that touch changed you?
  

• Afraid to hope
• I took Thomas as my confirmation name for two reasons, it was my father's first name, and I always felt that Thomas at least ought to get credit for being honest.  Were I in his shoes, I would be afraid to hope because hopes can be dashed.  Personally, I think that the greatest sign in this week's Gospel reading is Jesus' love and mercy toward Thomas.
• Imagine that you're in that locked room with the rest of the disciples (and yes ladies, I believe there were women there, so don't let that slow you down) and Jesus suddenly is there with you.
• He turns and gazes at you.  Suddenly, you feel as though the room is empty except for you and Jesus.
• You clasp His hands, feel the cruel nail marks, the warmth of His flesh, the strength of His hands in yours.  You suddenly know that He never really left you, and that He never will leave you.
• What expression is on the face of Jesus as you gaze at Him?
  
• What is it that Jesus has to say to you today?
• How do you respond?
• Happy Easter!

• Preparation for Reconciliation
• Where might God be inviting me to bring hope to another?
• Where might God be inviting me into greater hope?
• How is God inviting me to be closer to Jesus today?
• Where might God be inviting me into a miracle? 
  

Warm

is the flesh I clasp in my calloused hands.

Warm the glance, the gaze, the caress of His eyes upon me.

Warm my heart as I gaze back and find my courage in His eyes.

Find my salvation at the shores of eternity in His flesh embracing mine.

 

My heart knows what my mind could scarce believe:

I am loved, I am accepted, I am called -

Just as I am, right here, right now.

And that's all that I really need to know.

 

I am resurrected  out of the tomb of my own despair.

Given power over the chains of my own fears.

Filled with a joy based in Jesus and Him alone.

Knowing that all I need to know is the step right before me.

 

Jesus sees my face light up.

He throws back his head and laughs with me.

And I know that He is in me and I in Him.

And that I never want to leave His side.

 

Hallelujah!

 

Shalom!