Philip and the Ethiopian

"Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?" Acts 8:37

The story of "Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch" is a passage full of surprises. The Eunuch is an important man: Treasurer to Candace, Queen of Ethiopia. He is approached by a lowly fisherman from Galilee named Philip.

The court official, rather than looking with disdain upon the stranger who rushed up to his chariot, is open to Philip's teaching of the Good News. After hearing all Philip had to say, the Courtesan was convinced.
"Look! Here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?"

That enthusiasm, that running forward into the Good News, no matter who calls us to it is what makes excellent disciples. A willingness to learn from unlikely characters. A willingness to come down literally from our high horses and to open our minds and hearts to Truth.

Indeed, "What is to prevent me?"
What prevents us from running forward into the arms of God in humility and with genuine openness to what God might be planning for us?
Who do you listen to?
Who do you reject?

Laying Down Our Lives

For this reason the Father loves me, 
because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.

Laying down our lives.

Laying down our busy-ness, our egos, our priorities. When we do this for the sake of the Gospel, the potential for transformation is birthed in us. We may think we do not have the time, the talent, or the treasure to drop our lives for the sake of the Gospel; there are mortgages to pay, kids to educate, and retirements to be planned. Yet Christ assures us that in laying down our lives for His sake, we open ourselves to a new life potential that is beyond anything we can ask for or imagine.

Jesus says, "I have the power to lay it down (my life) and the power to take it up again." So have we.
Is this a risk worth taking?
Is this a risk we can afford NOT to take?

Peace

Peace be with you.  Luke 24: 36

Jesus utters these words frequently during this season of Eastertide.     He has died, he has been resurrected. In the days after the miasma of his gut wrenching crucifixion, in the shock and grief after his death, Jesus appears time and again to offer peace: peace of mind, peace of heart  and freedom from angst, anger, and fretfulness.

Peace is the essence of the Easter message, and the hallmark of those who follow The Way. In Jesus, we are called to look deeply into our lives and called to ferret out those resentments we hold, those complaints we keep re-voicing, and those fears that threaten to strangle us and those around us. We are called to follow Jesus as he breathes "Peace be with you" into our hearts and minds.  

This is how we proclaim the Kingdom of God; not through worry or back room gossip, or through anger and resentment. We usher in the Kingdom of God by whispering "Peace be with you," to those among whom we live and move and have our being.  Try it. 

Liz+                                   

 

Me 'N Thomas

Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt, but believe.    John 20:27

The Apostle Thomas, the one we often refer to as "Doubting Thomas," wasn't around the first time Jesus appeared to the others in the Upper Room. After the fact, his buddies tell him this fantastical story: "Oh, darn, old boy, bad luck; you missed him! Jesus was here. He's not dead after all; he's alive! He was right here with us!"

It's easy to jump on Thomas, cluck-clucking and tsk-tsking because he's the one who had trouble accepting this preposterously inconceivable feat of Resurrection as truth. (But was he the only one?) Thomas' authentic questioning, his heartfelt need to "trust, but verify" resonates with me.

I get Thomas; I get his doubt. Isn't Thomas every one of us from time to time?  The Good News is this:  our Lord knows this about us. "Reach out and put your hand in my side." Take whatever time you need. It's okay. If touching me is what you need, then touch. I'll be here. Always.

Thanks be to God.

Living Through Good Friday

I am Resurrection and Life, says the Lord, Whoever has faith in me shall have life, even though he die. And everyone who has life, and has committed himself to me in faith, shall not die for ever.                                              The Book of Common Prayer, p. 491.

Easter approaches.
And Easter cannot arrive without Good Friday.
Yes, it's sad. Yes it's bleak, but Good Friday struggles are what prepare us for the unimaginable, eternal joys that come with Resurrection.

As many of you know, Gary, my husband of 34 years died Monday morning after a brave fight with liver cancer. And I confess, I am having kind of a "Good Friday" week, but I believe Easter comes! Intermittent crises of faith may cause some of us us to struggle from time to time, but we KNOW that Easter does come. I stake my life on that, and so did Gary. Yes, Lord, I believe!

As for Holy Week and Easter, I have decided I need to be here with you at CHN rather than resting at home. I need to be surrounded by people I love and trust, and I need the ancient and familiar rhythm of the Triduum to lead me into Easter.

Thank you for the many ways you have shown me your love and concern this week. We are an Easter people, and together, we will see Jesus more clearly and know his love more dearly this weekend.

With love and in hope,
Liz+