Second Sunday in Easter

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Godly Abiding Spiritually in Jesus Changes the Meaning of What we See Worldly When Not Abiding in Jesus.

Spirituality is our innate ability to feel the difference worldly or godly thinking makes to the way scripture translates to our daily life and relationships.

All Scripture is a testimony to Jesus Christ, who is the Word of God. He is the complete revelation of God’s will of grace for salvation. Grace is the only unfailing rule of faith and practice for the Christian life.

The Gospel of grace is: rather than trying to be more faithful to become faithful, we become faithful by feeling the Faith God already has for and in us.

The Strength of Christianity is Grace

John 1:14 “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Another name for Jesus is "Grace". Another name for God is "Grace". We are saved by GRACE. "Love" is not Love if it is not grace. This is true for "Faith", "Hope", "Joy" and all other theological words of significance in the scripture.

Until someone experiences the grace gift in their lives, all other theological words have no real meaning. Why not begin to use the word "grace" in place of "Jesus", "God", "the Spirit", "Love" and so on? It might seem inappropriate to do so. However, until it is actually experienced it will make no sense at all.

That is what this year is all about. Grace, did you get it?

Finding Grace in Our Life

A little dab of grace will do you.

We need to put grace on the little things in life so they can grow into fruit ratherthan weeds.

Prayers from Forward Day by Day.

Read this prayer for its religious meaning:

“Almighty God: Grant that all may show forth in our lives what we profess by our faith.”

Now quietly move into God's Presence and pray the prayer spiritually:

“Almighty God: Grant that all may show forth in our lives what we profess by our faith.”

Can you feel the difference?

John 20:19-31 “Thomas one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came.”

“Thomas one of the Twelve”. Did you get it? What was it? After all this is Easter. We do not have time to work with the details. Let’s get it on with what we already know. Let’s face it, this is called “Low Sunday” for several reasons. The real explanation is on Easter we celebrated with the “High” Mass. The next Sunday we go back to normal with the “Low” Sunday Mass. The actual explanation that it is low Sunday is the small attendance at Easter mass. There is plenty of room for more. All the color, pomp and circumstance of the Day are gone. Gone are the large choirs with special music. The flowers look a bit wilted and there is a dusty feeling about getting back to the normal congregation: same-o-same-o.

It is perhaps a minor point but Thomas is no longer “one of the twelve”. He is one of the eleven. Things have changed. Judas is no longer with them.

This may not mean very much as a fact. However it is a fact of life. Life is in the details. Life is what happened between our old and our new plans. It is an opportunity for a “Time Out”. How many of us need a time out. We perhaps could use a time out in our personal life. It seems to be headed down not up. There are time outs needed in our relationship at times. When was the last time we took a time out with our spouse, or with our children or with our parents?

Our problem is we do not have time to take a time out. It is frivolous to think we can do it. Too many things to do, places to go, people to meet. And, yes, we are about to take on some more busy work. We believe the wise old warning that “the Devil is in the details.” We just do not have time to check out the details.

Easter is about checking into the details so we can check out of that which eats up our life. The only detail we need to remember is to take a spiritual time out. No way, we do not have time to take a time out.

I remember one morning when I was in Seminary. I was about to take a trip from New York City to Los Angeles California. I would be driving out with a couple and another person. I was in a rush to beat the traffic to the toll way. The couple said, “Let us take a moment to say a prayer in the chapel.” My head said to my stomach, “No way! We don’t have time for prayers. We have get going before it is too late.” Something inside said, “Do you know how stupid that is?” You are a Seminarian, at a Seminary, with two Seminarians who want to have a short prayer and you are pushing to get out of here? Don’t make a fool of yourself, just do it. And I did. It was a wonderful moment. The trip out the toll way was fine. Our relationship was sealed with the Spirit. We needed that kind of Spirit after we blew a tire, got to a gas station and replaced it. After an hour plus on the road we remembered we did not take the spare with us. Do we go back and lose three more hours or do we head on and hope we do not get another flat. We went back. We had plenty of time to do what was really needed to have done. It was a time out.

I always remember that moment in the chapel. It has always made sense to me. It was a God grace given moment. Has God ever given you that kind of make sense moment you can use for the rest of your life? If not, here is the chance to take a time out. Wonder what difference being in His Peace Presence will make.

He is right with you, just waiting for your head to stop talking to your stomach so you can listen to your heart. Make it an Easter Moment.

THE DISCIPLE-SHIFT: The Virtual Small Group: Members share once a week with their group through the internet when a shift from being out to being in the Presence made a difference.