The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Today is the 5th Sunday after Easter, Ascension Day is on the horizon. We seem to have settled into this difficult way of life, it is beginning to feel normal! But to have spent Holy Week and the Easter season in isolation, unable to be in our churches, is not normal. We have Good News to spread, we have much to celebrate, but we are not able to be with others. It is hard too to celebrate when we are in such challenging circumstances. Many are finding life very hard right now. Being the Body of Christ in these circumstances is not easy. That is our challenge though. We are called to be the Easter people, and we are needed more in these times than when things are easy. There is a temptation to see this lockdown period as a gap in our lives, as we wait to return to normal, but we need to remember each day is important, each day is to be lived to the full, within whatever constraints there are. Each day, with its opportunities and challenges, really matters. I am reminded of the John Lennon quote “Life is what happens when you ae busy making other plans” So let’s try to make the most of each of these strange days.
And remember Christ is Risen Alleluia!
Edith
Our first hymn today -
The timing of this seems rather odd. Here we are still in the Easter season but today’s gospel is set at a time when Jesus has just told his disciples he is going to die. At this point in the gospel Jesus has just been telling the disciples that he is about to be betrayed: that he is only going to be with them a little longer. This must have been difficult for them. They say quite clearly that they do not understand where Jesus is going – it is way beyond what they can grasp. They are puzzled, unsure and troubled – Jesus calls on them to believe in God and also in him. And that isn’t about a set of beliefs, a creed if you like, it is about seeking a living and trusting relationship with the Father and himself. To have faith is to have a personal relationship with God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This is a relationship built up by being in each other’s presence and communicating with each other. Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, so Jesus tells the disciples how he is going ahead of them to prepare a place for them. Once all is prepared, Jesus will come and take us to himself. It is easy to put off his coming again to some future life. We need to remember that Jesus is alive and comes to us, is present now. By this stage in the Gospel passage, Thomas feels quite lost. Perhaps he spoke for all the disciples when he said “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” There is much about God that we cannot comprehend with our minds, we can only grasp it with our hearts through a loving, trusting relationship with him. Jesus replies by saying to Thomas “I am the way, the truth and the life”. Jesus doesn’t offer instructions in that way. He offers himself “I am the way” He doesn’t say this is how you get there, but rather “I’ll take you there". It is not through words or ritual but through Jesus that we have access to the Father. If we put our trust in him, build up relationship with him, he will lead us into the fullness of life and into the kingdom of God.
If we are on a journey and lose our way, we might ask someone to help. If they tell us “turn left at the crossroads, over the first roundabout, right at the second etc", the chances are we still won’t find our way. Either we forget all the steps or our helper accidentally misses out one vital piece of information. If instead he says “Follow me and I will take you there” that person becomes the way for us and we cannot get lost. The way, the truth and the life through which we know and find the way, is Jesus himself - the Jesus who washed the disciples feet and told them to copy his example, the Jesus who was on his way to give his life as the shepherd for the sheep. In the same way, we need to be alongside others, accompanying them on the journey – even if that is not possible in physical terms.
Edith
And a final hymn -
