After this he appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
Jesus rose from the dead, but no one believed him. It wasn’t just Thomas who doubted; he was just the bluntest. Mark reports that when Mary Magdalene went back to tell the disciples they didn’t believe her. And after Jesus appeared on two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus, their fellow disciples didn’t believe them either.
When life stinks, when the worst happens, and people pop up to say, it’ll be better or you’ve not seen the end of the story yet, no one wants to believe them. When the epidemiologists say there’s another side to our sacrifices right now, it just doesn’t feel like we’re close to back to normal. Sometimes, we’d rather believe stories that Jesus never died than believe he rose from the dead. In the same way, some would rather believe this is all an elaborate con game run by (whoever they most distrust).
But the truth is this – bad stuff happens. People die. It hurts like heck and often the pain is there for the rest of our lives. And it’s equally true that Christ triumphed over death, that even with the pain there can still be good, that we can take our pain and let it guide us into new ways. We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but we know there will be a tomorrow.
Easter blessings, Pastor Virginia
STARTING WEDNESDAY: Teatime with the Pastor, every Wednesday from 1 to 2pm… a time to chat and share, using the Zoom platform. Email Pastor Virginia for the link at pastorchild02914@gmail.com
As you know, our Thrift Shop is closed, and we are losing that income. If you could send in additional money this month, we’d really appreciate it. All our staff is still on the payroll, we still have utility bills. Your gifts make it possible for us to continue. Checks may be mailed to the church at 5 Gibbs Avenue, Wareham MA 02571.
NEED SHOPPING HELP? Nancy MacNeill reports that her two granddaughters are offering to do shopping for anyone who can’t get out. Just contact Nancy at 508-280-3716 or <nlmacneill@comcast.net
PRAYER LIST
Want to add a concern or joy to the list? Email me at pastorchild02914@gmail.com
- prayers for Chris Markola’s son and family in Holly Springs NC, where they’ve had tornadoes.
- prayers for utility folks out repairing lines and restoring electricity.
- from Oonagh Brault: Please add my friend Lindsay to the prayer list. She has just been diagnosed with COVID-19.
- from Elaine Johnson: Please add my sister Janice to the prayer list. She fell and has a small brain bleed and concussion and severed her ear which needed to be stitched back into place. She is home recovering. (4/9)
- Prayers for all who work in the medical field as they deal with this crisis. (4/7)
- from Nancy MacNeill, prayers for her cousin Pam Bergeron
- from Lydia Sherman: Please add Carrie Andrews to the prayer list. She’s the cousin to my nephew Christopher’s wife… She currently is on life-support and is only in her 30’s.
To Believe is to Care. . . To Care is to Do 