Eastertide

April 25, 2023

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

This scripture reminds me of the family reunions we once had each year on my father’s side of the family. My dad came from a yours-mine-and-ours family. My grandfather and his first wife had nine children. Seven lived to adulthood. My grandmother and her first husband had six children. Five of them lived to adulthood. After both of my grandparents’ first spouses died, they met, married, and had three children, including my father. We had to rent one of the buildings at the fairground for our annual reunion. All of that generation is now gone. I still have fond memories of those gatherings. Everyone brought food, and we ate and laughed and played. At the end of the day, all returned to their life that involved work and school and practicing their faith.

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is holding its General Assembly this summer, much like a family reunion. It is a time of renewal. We conduct some business, spend more time in seminars, and have opportunities for growth and discernment. Most of all, we eat and visit and reconnect. Like the first century’s disciples, we will join in word and deed to prepare ourselves to return to a world in desperate need of being filled with the Spirit of love and grace God provides as we strive to create a world ruled by love.

Prayer:

Consecrate [us] now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine*. Amen.

*Second verse of the hymn I Am Thine O Lord, by Fanny Crosby, see at https://hymnary.org/text/i_am_thine_o_lord_i_have_heard_thy_voice

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.