In the Flesh: The Doubting Disciples

We always talk about "Doubting Thomas," but, in doing so, we ignore the fact that all of the male disciples were in the same boat. This week, we pick up where we left off last week. After the discovery of the empty tomb and Jesus' appearance to Mary Magdalene, a group of disciples has gathered together. We might imagine this is an opportunity for them all to talk about the stories they have heard -- the empty tomb and the further account that Mary shared after (see John 20:19-31).

And then Jesus is there among them. 

How can we find good news for ourselves in the fact that the disciples grieved, lived in fear, and had doubts about the stories they wee hearing? How can we make sure that we are sharing the body of Christ with others that we might be empowered just as the disciples were?

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Happy Easter! As we continue into this season, we will see that our Scriptures make clear that the joy of the Resurrection could not be confined to one day. And so it is that our celebration of Easter is not confined to a single Sunday. Instead, Easter lasts for seven weeks. The final Sunday of Easter is the day we know as Pentecost Sunday.

Spiritual Practices in Times of Crisis and Isolation: Music

For many people in the church, if you ask them when they most feel God’s presence in worship, they will say something about the music. Religious music, worship music, no matter the genre, is meant on some level to foster an experience of God’s presence. How many people have shed tears of joy during a particularly well done organ piece or choral anthem? Or, on the other end of the spectrum, how many have felt themselves pulled out of a time of worship by a discordant piece that does not seem to fit the moment?

Music has the ability to instill in us a sense of divine presence and majesty. And when we join together in song, we are given the opportunity to respond to God’s work in our lives. This is why many of the classic masterpieces we appreciate were originally written as religious pieces. It is why those of us who are Methodists are called “a singing people.” It is why we get teary when we hear voices that bring to mind angels. Music is an integral part of our faith.

Songs for the Journey - Second Sunday of Easter

Last week's post is a bit late. With apologies to Neil Diamond and The Monkees...

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I thought love was only true in fairy tales/Meant for someone else but not for me/Love was out to get me/That's the way it seemed/Disappointment haunted all of my dreams

The disciples are gathered behind locked doors - scared, demoralized, uncertain. They thought they understood who Jesus was. He was the Messiah. The Messiah was supposed to deliver Israel from slavery. He was going to lead the revolt against the occupying powers. But three days ago, the religious leaders handed him over to the authorities and he was executed.

As if that wasn't enough, Mary Magdalene told them this crazy story earlier today about seeing Jesus in the garden. Surely she was delirious with her grief; they were especially close after all. But John and Peter had run off afterwards and seemed pretty shaken when they came back.