Eastertide
April 15, 2018
Scripture Reading: Luke 24:36b-48
Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. —Luke 24:44-48
What have we witnessed about God in our world today and to whom did we share our observation? Personally, I am trying to deal with my pre-judgments about people not related to the color or gender but how differences in our backgrounds or personalities make it hard for me to communicate with them. A wise friend once advised me that when I had a problem with someone I needed to pray for them and for help in dealing with the negative vibes I feel. It works. God broadens my understanding, helps me see the person from a clearer vantage point, and suddenly the problem slips away. I have shared these experiences without naming names and had others tell me that it worked for them too. Now if I could just start these prayers at the first sign of tension, it would save me a lot of frustration and thought that could be channeled for more productive purposes. We are all works in progress.
What have we witnessed about God in our world today and to whom did we share our observation? My faith group is taking a long hard look at the need for reconciliation in our world particularly related to racism. The Spirit is present in each of the events and work that we do when our focus is on loving like Jesus loved. It is hard to rid ourselves as individuals but also as the church and as a nation of deeply ingrained habits and thought patterns. Cleaning our values and moral filters takes intentional work requiring constant communion with God to help us see ourselves more clearly and understand that what might seem innocent to us is very painful for others with different backgrounds. It takes courage to admit such shortcomings but taking that step is a witness of Christ’s love for others to see.
What have we witnessed about God in our world today and to whom did we share our observation?
We’ve a story to tell to the nations,
that shall turn their hearts to the right,
a story of truth and mercy,
a story of peace and light,
a story of peace and light.
Refrain:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning,
and the dawning to noonday bright,
and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth,
the kingdom of love and light.*
Prayer: Lord, broaden my sight to see your work in our world and empower me to witness to it. Amen.
First verse and refrain of Hymn We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations by H. Ernest Nichol see at https://hymnary.org/text/weve_a_story_to_tell_to_the_nations