April 15, 2020

Daily Lectionary Readings for Year A

Did you sing yesterday? Are you going to sing today? Lift up your song. Trust that God is leading us through this time of fear and isolation into a new day, onto a distant shore.  

The last movie I saw in the theatre before the coronavirus changed the way we think of gathering together was the movie "1917." I do not particularly enjoy violence or films that depict war. However, I had read that this movie was one to watch on the big screen. So I went. What I witnessed was an intense story of one person on a mission to save the lives of countless others. It was harrowing. My heart was racing as I watched. There were several times that I thought the soldier would not make it. I felt myself running with him, rooting for him. I felt an intense feeling of hope. There is something deep down within us that gives us the courage to do things we otherwise think are impossible. Usually, we rise to this level when we understand our lives as part of something greater than ourselves.

The movie 1917 came to mind as I read Joshua 3 this morning. There is a discipline to a common purpose that those in the military could relate to. Just when it seemed like the battle was lost, God provided a way through the waters to the safety of the further shore. Take your pulse as you read this story, and you might find that it rises a bit.

Then, stand with the two Mary's. Feel the earthquake as the angel appears to announce that the world had been forever changed. And suddenly, it dawns on you. One person had done what many thought to be impossible. Jesus had defeated death itself and saved the lives of countless people. Including you. Do not be afraid.  

God will help us find our way through this time.

Go and tell. Go and sing. Go and hope.

Peace,
Dean