Eastertide
April 17, 2021
Scripture Reading: Luke 24:36b-48
While they were talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’ They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, ‘Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.’ And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’ They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence. –Luke 24:36-43
As children, my sister and I sang a duet of a song titled, It Is No Secret What God Can Do. The song was sung by everybody from Jim Reeves to Elvis Presley to Mahalia Jackson and my sister and me. I thought of that song when I read the above scripture. It may not be a secret what God can do, but for many, at least at times, God’s capabilities are undiscernible. I found it interesting that the disciples could believe in ghosts but not in a man resurrected, one they could touch and feel. We humans, I fear, try to make life more complicated than it is or needs to be. Jesus’ message was simple and straightforward, love God and love one another. The source of abundant life for all people is the very Creator of the world. Can we at least recognize God might know how he created the world to work well?
I awoke this morning to the news of another mass shooting, this time in Indiana. A reporter interviewed a man who had just learned his relative had not been killed or injured. The man was greatly relieved but noted he was among a group of people who had lost family members, and though overjoyed that his relative had survived, he mourned with those who had lost a brother or sister or child or parent. He added, “Why can’t we just love one another?”
The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through
Someone slipped and fell, was that someone you?
You may have longed for added strength your courage to renew
Do not be disheartened, I have news for you
It is no secret what God can do
What he’s done for others he’ll do for you
With arms wide open, he’ll pardon you
It is no secret what God can do
There is no night for in his light you’ll never walk alone
You’ll always feel at home, wherever you may roam
There is no power can conquer you while God is on your side
Take him at his promise, don’t run away and hide
It is no secret what God can do
What he’s done for others he’ll do for you
With arms wide open he’ll pardon you
It is no secret what God can do*
Prayer: Creator of all, help us to love one another as you have loved us. Amen.
*It Is No Secret What God Can Do by Stuart Hamblen see at https://www.google.com/search?q=it+is+no+secret+what+god+can+do&rlz=1C1CHZN_enUS922US922&oq=it+is+&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j46j0l2j69i60l3.2684j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.