Eastertide

April 28, 2020

Scripture Reading:
Acts 2:42-47

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. –Acts 2:43-47

Yesterday my  TV froze several times as I tried to worship via a live stream connection from my church. Getting frustrated, I grabbed my iPad, pulled the service up on Facebook, and participated without further interference. Afterword, I flip on my TV to watch the news programs I record on Sunday morning. A notice from TIVO popped up on the screen, saying a problem existed with my Internet connection. I needed to check out either a website they provided or call a number. The site was not available, so I called the number and reached a very nice man in the Philippines who quickly analyzed my problem and patiently walked me through the instructions to check and correct settings on my equipment. We chatted a bit while we waited for my WIFI to reboot, and as the computer cycled through various processes. When all was finished, it dawned on me that he was working amid the COVID 19 pandemic. He was providing me access to the luxury of attending worship remotely and maintain the information flow of news into my home. I asked him if he was following all the social distancing and other COVID 19 safety recommendations, and he assured me he was.

We live in a more expansive world than our ancestors in faith knew in the first century. The Lord’s Table extends from Oklahoma City to the Phillippines and beyond. All are welcomed, and all are called to welcome. It was true, then. It is true now.

Prayer: Lord, let this experience of shared concern and fear, teach life lessons that will help us shed the things that divide us one from the other and seek the ways that bring us together. Amen.

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. YesterdayUsed by permission. All rights are reserved.