Scripture: John 20:19-31
Message: Playing a Different Game
We are in the wake of Easter when I typically feel this anticipatory joy for the coming of warmer weather and a general slowing down of my schedule and the world around me. These are the days I force myself to be a bit more efficient with my work so there’s time at the end of the day to dig around in some dirt and absorb the readily available vitamin D. In my mind it’s as if Easter is the tipping point between Winter and Warm weather. There’s no transition – it’s cold and grey and closed in before and warm, colorful, and wide open after.
This year, however, things felt a little differently. Maybe because Easter was on the early side, but, while I am feeling that call towards warmer weather and rest it’s not quite as pronounced and I’m thinking this has everything to do with hope. Hope is what we leave Easter with – a hope that things can and will be different; a hope in life’s victory over death; a hope that reminds us that no matter how dark it feels there is and will always be light to guide our way. But the world is on the cusp of what could be the most devastating war of history. And our county has normalized hate and arrogance in a place of public power.
… and we are caring and praying for a 16 year old with terminal cancer.
It just feels a little harder this year to jump feet first into joy when injustice seems insurmountable. But that light… that hope. It’s still there beckoning and encouraging us. So then we go but maybe with a steady gate. We go including our grief and fear but now also holding hope and wonder. And we go in both confidence in the power of Divine Love over hate but also an acute awareness that this will require patience and humility and a certainty of faith.
This year our work as Easter people is written clearly before us, keeping us from the temptations of ignorance. But I know you and we have prepared for these days. And we will go together towards this hope, hand in hand, with caution and with confidence.
By the way, our student, Soo, is preaching this Sunday on the disciple Thomas and his need to touch to believe because seeing was enough. Join us for the good news!
Peace,
Cheryl
Music:
Prelude:“Prelude in G” Johann Walth
Anthem: “These things did Thomas count” The Sacred Harp, 1844
Meditation: “Adagio in G” Georg Böhm
Postlude: “O filii et filiæ” 18th c. French air