Third Sunday of Easter – B

Years B
Acts 3:12-19
Psalm 4
1 John 3:1-7
Luke 24:36b-48

"...repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed...." (Luke 24:47)

"I will both lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety." (Psalm 4:8)

These two lines play well together. In a season of resurrection we can spend time on the process (focusing on what we know - betrayal, injustice, torture, death - rather than what we don't know - visits to hell, empty tombs, experience of continuity even when not immediately recognizable) or on resurrection's intention - changing direction and forgiveness.

To lie down and sleep can also be to die. We can do so in "safety" when expecting to arise forgiven and with a changed direction.

When life is revealed we shall see it as it is - healed, changed, forgiven, onward from here - and we will participate in those same dimensions.

= = = = = = =

we see health or healing and
we shy away from their politics

to admit unexpected healing
that which we were not a party
raises our already high anxieties
to the point of denial of our senses
being out of touch with ourselves
puts us out of community with others

our wonder and amazement can turn on a dime
from loud praise to louder death to loudest peace