From the Rector’s Study

The ascension makes sense in its historical context. The understanding of the earth between heaven and hell. And heaven being above the destination but now our view or understanding of the universe has changed. The idea of the circle rather than hierarchy, and the connectedness of all things seems to be of greater value.

Surprise, surprise, a few questions come to mind the reading today. The timing is in question among other things. And who chooses whom? Do we choose God in Christ or does God in Christ choose us it seems to be that God asks first and waits for our yes or no.

The baptism right away, when we talk about back to church Sunday it is the first 30 seconds people decide whether they will come back to church or not. The rest of the time will either confirm the assessment or contradict maybe change their mind. And our faith and belief are not a one-time decision doubt and questions and wondering about God as well as ourselves

In his book, God is More than Enough, Pastor Tony Evans shares this story: On a trip in the African rain forest, a man was following a guide. As they pushed onward into deeper and darker jungle,
the guide, using his machete, constantly whacked away at the thick green growth that rose like a wall everywhere before them. “How do you know where to go?” the man asked. “Where’s the path?” The guide replied, “I am the path.”

Service bulletin for April 14, 2024

The disciples are gathered behind locked doors. Jesus appears and says peace be with you receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive, they are forgiven if not their sins are retained.

The good news of Easter, and yet puzzling and confusing. When Peter and the other disciple go into the tomb and see that Jesus is not there, John says that he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead.

Today we hear the Easter gospel in Mark the short ending. And this the ending or some of the oldest versions of Mark’s Gospel. And the ending: they were afraid.

Have you ever been in a situation where you wish you could just go to sleep and only wake up after or be transported quickly to next week or when the pain and worry would be over?