We are Witnesses Too - April 5
Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 93, 98; PM Psalm 66; Jonah 2:1-9; Acts 2:14,22-32; John 14:1-14
Today is the first Monday in Easter and for these great fifty days, we will be reading from Acts of the Apostles, better known as ‘Acts.’ On this Monday’s reading, Peter looks at the eleven apostles and proclaims Jesus’s resurrection for the very first time. “Then Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.”
We Episcopalians are people of the Incarnation. That means that we too experience the Resurrection of the Lord. It means, we too get to know Jesus, be witnesses to the resurrection and have the opportunity to go and share that just as Peter did that Monday morning. I want to share a few words from yesterday’s Easter message that I think are important for all of us to remember. It’s about what started to happen at Saint Stephen’s (and probably many other faith communities too) around Easter of last year.
And then something happened…. Person after person began turning in recordings of the readings and the prayers for our Sunday worship, coming from each person’s home, or back porch, or garden. We began the ancient practice of the Daily Office on Facebook. People, many of you, began praying for each other in the comment sections, and then offering words such as “amen,” and “Thanks be to God,” or liking, loving, or that cute little care emoji when other people lifted up their concerns. People began calling each other to check on them. Our church split into 56 groups of 10-12 families. Our staff began handing out dinners on Wednesday nights. People began taking communion to parishioners that were spiritually hungry. Many of you helped a parishioner turn her ministry in Avondale into something that now involves so many others from our community and church. We began teaching online. People began signing up for Inquirer’s class (two of them), for small groups, for different Bible studies. People began reaching out in love and concern. More people than we have ever had involved in pastoral care began taking meals and flowers to people in our community in a time of need, sending cards and prayer bracelets with those whom we are praying for. You built Covid screens in a warming shelter in Woodlawn, while others were writing letters of encouragement to nurses and doctors at UAB West. Even this week, a few people in our community drove a full U-Haul van of supplies that many of you donated down to Greensboro, Alabama at the same moment that others were preparing bags of goodies and candy for our friends in Avondale. And I know I am only scratching the surface…
In the midst of profound loss and change, something started to feel oddly familiar. The ancient practices of the church, the call to love our neighbor, the radical witness of loving others, began to be a reminder that even in the midst of turmoil and chaos, God’s love is still changing the world.
I should have claimed it yesterday, but what was really happening was an awareness of the Risen Christ amongst us. You all are witnesses to the Risen Christ. I think we meet him when we love each other and let ourselves be loved by others. And it’s happening every moment, in our community, in other communities, and beyond. Thanks be to God! Alleluia, Alleluia.
John+
Questions for Self-Reflection: Where have you seen hope in the last year? Where have you met Jesus?
Daily Challenge: Invite a friend into something live-giving or hopeful. Maybe share a reflection, a hopeful Bible passage, or invite a friend to Church. In the midst of this challenging year, consider how you can help others be a witness of the resurrection too.