Jesus Concerned About Every Day Needs

Alleluia! Christ is risen!!

"Uh, Pastor Carol," you're probably thinking, "Easter is over." Well, I know that Easter Day has passed, but we remain in the "season of Easter."

Now what in the world does that mean?? Easter Day may be over but the Good News is far from ended; Christ is risen! So??? So, our Sunday lessons are all about how the risen Christ makes Himself known to His disciples and increases their faith. Isn't that really a vital part of the Good News?

Last Sunday's lesson had Christ appearing to His overworked, underachieving fisher-disciples. He came to them in the midst of their regular workday world and assisted them in their efforts. Hmm, might our everyday world of work be different if we rely upon and listen to the risen Christ in the midst of it??

Jesus invited the disciples to breakfast that He had prepared on the beach. He was concerned about their "everyday" needs. Wonder if that's why we "feed the hungry and clothe the naked," have benefits for those who are hurting, visit the sick or lonely with a hotdish and a listening ear. Christ is concerned and interested in our "everyday" needs.

Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. And then admonished Peter to "let it show." We are called and chosen, loved and cared for, that we might love and care for others in return. The risen Christ continues to teach and empower His people to live richer, fuller, more meaningful lives.

Our challenge is to see how He is at work, and we are called to be, in this time of mass campus murders, media abuse of races and classes, rampant poverty and disease, wanton greed and environmental rape. How do we avoid despair and fatalism and live as Easter people??

Maybe the answer lies in where we keep our focus. We can become overwhelmed with the evil in this world and have our lives be colored by it, or we can choose to focus on the risen Christ and live in hope and the power of His promise, seeking to radiate His light and peace in our little corner of the world that it might draw others and be expanded to include more and more folks until He returns and makes all things as He intends for them to be.

Easter Day may be ended but the Good News remains: Alleluia! Christ is risen!!

Peace,

Pastor Carol

Jesus Concerned About Every Day Needs

Wednesday, April 25, 2007