The Third Sunday of Easter: From FEAR to FRIENDSHIP
STEP ONE: BREATHE
Take a deep, cleansing breath. Allow the air to fill your lungs and expand your body. Exhale and empty yourself into the room. Repeat three times - once for the one who Created you, once for the Incarnate One who walks beside you, and once for the Spirit whose life fills your being.
STEP TWO: DWELL IN WORD
“After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” ”
“FEAR NOT” - Introduction to this week’s Focus
For some time now - decades perhaps - there has been a growing fear that community and relationships are on the decline. That for all the good the internet and computers, smartphones and tablets, do for society, they are also keeping us from each other. That the fast pace of society, our over-scheduled days, and almost constant movement leave little room for the simple joys of family, friends, and community.
And now, separated even more by the social distancing and isolation necessary to protect ourselves and each other from Covid-19, we are more isolated and alone. Relationships and community were hard enough before - now they might be impossible. And that will be a very hard loss to accept.
Loss of community and loss of relationships is not a new fear. Even for people of faith. Our scripture and traditions are full of such stories - floods and wars, exiles and conflicts, plagues and disasters have all threatened to tear people of God apart.
Yet God has always been faithful, hearing our cries and working through the Holy Spirit to rebuild communities and relationships, plant new ones, and give us hope amidst the fear.
Yes, our sense of isolation is growing. The fear is real. But in and through Jesus, we are gifted with an intimate and direct relationship with God and welcomed into a community that cannot be disrupted by anything this world can throw at it - neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor viruses, nor social distancing and isolation, will be able to separate us from our relationship with our God, each other, and community.
STEP THREE: PRAY
Embracing God, we are separated from family and friends, congregation and community. We anxiously wonder what will remain of our relationships when the isolation and separation of social distancing ends. We fear for the worst. Help us hope for the best, trusting that your love and faithfulness will restore the best of our former relationships and bring us into new and nurturing relationships with others. Amen.
Today’s devotion is by Pastor Scott Simmons
©2020 Scott Simmons. Permission granted to share with family and friends.