Jesus is alive! He is risen! We have celebrated the Good News! Now what?
With joy in our hearts, with belief in life everlasting, the work begins. Jesus breathes Spirit into us to continue the work that he started on earth. After Jesus’ resurrection, his disciples had to do the work of spreading the good news and building communities of life. Today, we are called to live daily in the good news within the history of our shared story. From Felicity to Mary, from Isaiah to Boniface, from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to Junipero Serra, and from Jessica to Lana, we see that the life Jesus calls us to will not always be easy. Transformation will not happen overnight. It will call us to face our fears and stretch our boundaries to go places we were not planning on going. If we truly live in the mystery of God who gives life, we may have an uncomfortable road ahead.
Whose work in the history of our Church’s ministry has inspired you? Why?
Who in your life do you see living out the Good News of Jesus? How?
Where do you see brokenness that Jesus might be calling us to in 2012?
How can you do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God today?
When I get overwhelmed thinking about where Jesus may be calling me, I can find comfort in Thomas of all people. Thomas’ doubt in this week’s Gospel reminds me that I do not have to be perfect in faith. I can’t be. Even in my moments of doubt, God will love me for who I am. When Thomas touches the wounds of Jesus, he reminds me that the work Jesus is calling me to is grounded in real people, real bodies, real suffering. I look for the wounds around me and work to address the pain in my immediate community. Thomas also reminds me that I am not called to work alone. Every community working toward healing needs its Thomas. It is good to have a person who wants proof, who wants tangible things to work with. We need people who trust blindly, and we need people who think scientifically and didactically. In our faith communities, we can take turns being hopeful and skeptical. Thomas gets a bad rap for his lack of faith, but I see his curiosity as a strength in community.
What communities do you enjoy working within?
What role do you tend to play in a group?
What strengths do you bring to a working group setting?
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