Easter

Jesus promises us that, yes, we are going to have suffering and crosses that we will have to deal with - and that he will work with us in those moments and bring good out of it. Oftentimes, we don't see it; but God will never let go of any of us, and he is working especially in the challenging moments of our lives. 

Church isn't a refuge; it's a raid on the kingdom of the enemy, designed to undermine his power. Every time we meet adversity, misfortune, misunderstanding, and hostility with patience, trust, forgiveness, and the strength that comes from God, Jesus' victory on the Cross spreads a little further.

God is love, and He loves us far more than we will ever comprehend, far more even than we can love each other or our own children (and that's a lot).

Fr. Dave reminds us that every time we receive Holy Communion, no matter what age we are, Jesus is saying directly to each of us: "Everything's okay, because I am with you." 

More than a few of us are likely often tempted to ask the Lord if He's really there. While He isn't likely to appear to us as He did with the apostles, you can be assured that He is calling out to each and every one of us. Take your doubt to Jesus and begin a conversation with Him. Just as He did with Thomas, He'll meet us where we are at any given time - even (and perhaps especially) in our doubt and unbelief.

To be Eastered means that we accept and expect that our lives will have frustrations, setbacks, difficulties, and loss - along with many rich blessings - and that we accept and expect that we won't be exempted from any of that, any more than Jesus Himself wasn't exempted from that. That means that we must learn to live with the unknown and what we don't understand, trusting in God that He is actively present in the midst of everything that happens in our lives, the good stuff and the bad. Because of the Resurrection, it is our conviction that God's doors are never shut to us; that His mercy is never exhausted; that He always gives us another chance; that He will never, ever give up on us or on our world.

Continue to pray the words from Fr. Hans last week: "Come, Holy Spirit. Come, Holy Spirit." We need a renewal of the Holy Spirit in each of our lives in order to be everything that God needs us to be.

As we prepare for the celebration of Pentecost next Sunday, here are three simple words to say over and over again: "Come, Holy Spirit!" When I am comfortable: "Come, Holy Spirit!" When I am afraid: "Come, Holy Spirit!" When I don’t know what to say: "Come, Holy Spirit!" This is how we will be a Faithful Presence and Influencers for Jesus: through the courage and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. I encourage you to say that prayer hundreds of times this week! "Come, Holy Spirit!"