The First Day Back

Dear Friends in Christ -

I'm ba-a-a-a-ck! And I began work today as I do every day - with my "devo" (a youth-speak abbreviation for "devotions", not a reference to the band from the late "70s!) and writing.

The first day back always feels a little breathless in the transition - turning my energy and attention from some things I love (wonderful extended rambling time with family and friends - hiking, beach, zoo) to other things I love (work at the church, volunteering, purposeful time with the kids [VBS, swim lessons, summer reading with Wynne, etc.]).

Today's readings from the Daily Office/Forward Day by Day were striking to me because they had that breathless feeling in them, too: the stories of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21) and the Resurrection of Jesus (Matthew 28:1-10) back to back. Zowwie! All the power and new-ness reflected in these stories couldn't be more fitting and energizing as we head into a new month and a new season in our parish life together.

The thing that really jumped out to me from these texts was the first phrase, "After the sabbath." The resurrection of Jesus happened after the Jewish sabbath (Saturday). After the Jews had time to pray and rest, then they were ready for Jesus to appear to them. We usually expect Jesus to show up on the Sabbath (ours is Sunday). But do we expect him to show up on Monday or Friday - in the middle of our "regular schedule"? At the tomb, Mary Mag. and "the other" Mary were given a job to do. It was as they went to do that job that Jesus appeared to them.

May we see Jesus today as we go about doing the things we're called to do.
Faithfully yours,
Janet+