We bid you grace and peace from Chuckatuck on the 2nd Sunday of Easter (often misnamed as Doubting Thomas Sunday) and at the close of the 6th week of social distancing, shelter-in-place, safer at home declaration. This past week has been unsettled in the area – weather, tension from isolation, and general confusion as the world evolves in unexpected and (some may say) unanticipated ways. Thankfully, our Parish continues to be faithful in worship and support – people are doing their part to keep the Parish campus safe and secure. I am blessed today as I look out at the sanctuary – the white rhododendrons are FULL of blossoms, the dogwood trees are blooming, and there is an ocean of butter cups in the yard. Hope that something better is on the way. May you be blessed in this period of waiting and remember God’s promises of comfort and grace.
In worship today we heard stories that are a bit odd this early in Eastertide. In Acts we heard a sermon from Peter that told those who were assembled that Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection were not just a happenstance, they were part of God’s plan – to reinforce the relationship that was founded by God in creation. The 1st Letter from Peter echoed the sentiment – God has a plan and the plan should be something that sustains us in times of trial and doubt. The Gospel story leads to the nickname for the Sunday; we heard the story of “doubting Thomas” again. The recounting of one disciple’s need for more and Jesus’ work to meet him where he was. The Psalm provided some of the insights for us that will hopefully sustain us in the coming weeks – God will not abandon us to the grave (or our fears, or the pandemic, or anything that we let stand between us and our faith). But the Psalm doesn’t imply that everything will be nice and easy, rather that the toil won’t be the end – because God is faithful to God’s promises.
Blessings and I invite your comments and likes,
Les+
Readings: Acts 2:14a, 22-32; Psalm 16; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31
Link to worship service: https://youtu.be/Fi1Gj7OlU5E
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