1. Continued prayers for you and your loved ones. In these times of uncertainty, please stay close to the Risen Lord and lean on His strength and courage.
2. In this Easter season, we will witness those who doubt (Thomas) and those who did not recognize the Risen Lord at first glance (Mary Magdalene, Peter, the disciples at Emmaus). We may be feeling that way ourselves.  Where is God in all this?  How can I recognize the Risen Lord when I feel so anxious, alone, depressed or even desperate?
3. Our Risen Lord is in the phone call, letter, text or email that reaches into your life. He is in the family member, friend, neighbour or acquaintance who picks up groceries or medications and just gives you a kindly wave.  He is in the hope that daily medical and government briefings bring that eventually there will be an end to this.
4. Look for signs of the Risen Lord. Mary Magdalene recognized His voice – He speaks to us in prayer.  Thomas recognized Him in His wounds – He is with those who are suffering.  The disciples on the road to Emmaus recognized Him in Scripture and in the breaking of bread – read the Bible, take communion when we all get back to church.  Peter recognized Him when he caught an unexpected load of fish after a night of nothing and when Jesus made the disciples breakfast – He is with us in our struggles, our challenges and our worries to help us and to nurture us by His presence.  He is the Good Shepherd who cares for us always.
5. Looking ahead, here are the poignant and inspiring Sunday readings for the month of May.

Sunday May 3:  Acts 2: 42-47; Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2: 19-25; John 10: 1-10

Sunday May 10 (Mother’s Day):  Acts 7: 55-60; Psalm 31: 1-5, 15-16; 1 Peter 2: 2-10; John 14: 1-14

Sunday May 17:  Acts 17: 22-31; Psalm 66: 7-18; 1 Peter 3: 13-22; John 14: 15-21

Sunday May 24 (Ascension):  Acts 1: 1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1: 15-23: Luke 24: 44-53

Sunday May 31 (Pentecost): Acts 2: 1-21; Psalm 104: 25-37; 1 Corinthians 12: 3b-13: John 20:19-23

6. Please keep daily prayer a focus of your life. If you are able, watch live stream church services.  Continue reading inspiring books, stories of hope and accounts of people helping people to get through this crisis.  Watch upbeat TV programs and movies.  Step outside if you can and take in a breath of fresh air or sit and feel the warmth of the Spring sun.  Exercise in your home or walk at a safe social distance in your neighbourhood.  Look for the positive in life and relish the hope that is there.

Love and prayers always

Coleen+

Rector, St. Peter’s Anglican Church

Sunday April 19, 2020 Gospel Reflection – Doubting Thomas.

Although it has been only 46 days from Ash Wednesday, 2020 to Easter 2020, it seems that the Time passing passing has taken forever!!!

As we reflect on the Second Sunday after Easter on April 19^th and the ongoing church season after Easter, our Sunday readings can give us help to get through these challenging times.

Let’s see what John Chapter 20, verses 19 to 31 can tell us!!!

The basic information is that the disciples, even though have reports of Jesus being seen, are huddled in a room, fearful and worried!!!

Jesus comes through the locked door and appears to many disciples, commissioning them to go out and forgive or retain sins. Jesus also breathed on them and gave them the Holy Spirit. Thomas heard this from disciples who were there and demanded proof. Jesus appears a second time and Thomas is humbled, uttering the famous prayer of belief and fellowship with Jesus – my Lord and my God!!!

So, when I run through the basics of this Gospel let me check some key phrases with my last 50 days or so!!! Worried – check; huddled- yes; a bit doubtful – uh huh!!!; remorseful when I encounter the real news facts – yes! I will stop there and focus on Thomas’ response to seeing the Lord crucified and raised from the dead – my Lord and my God!!!

Sometimes the only response we have to life is to throw ourselves upon our belief and faith in Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to help us through tough times!!! Those times are now and our belief as Christians is that God through Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit is with us right now all day and all night and with every breath we take!!!

My Lord and my God!!! Thank you Thomas – stay safe, you all!!!

Rev. Mike Lynch

Assistant Priest, St. Peter’s Anglican Church.