Do You See The Joy?

26 A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ ²⁷Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.’ ²⁸Thomas answered him, ‘My Lord and my God!’ ²⁹Jesus said to him, ‘Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.’(John 29)

Jesus is speaking about those of us living thousands of years after Thomas needed to put his fingers on Jesus’ wounds.

⁸Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1Peter 1)

Peter is speaking to those who lived much closer to the times that Jesus walked on earth.

The message from both readings, for the Second Sunday of Easter, bring the same message.   

…you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, ⁹for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

How often do we feel an “indescribable and glorious joy” in todays crazy world?

That joy wove in and out of my life yesterday.  

It reminded me again of the blessings that live in you and me because of our  trust and faith in God’s presence in our lives and in our world.

Yes, in our world right now, God is very much present and actively moving about touching our live.  

Touching our lives whether healthy or not.

So today I am inviting you to reverse focus for just a moment.   Reverse the truth that slams us in the face in the news, on our computers, phones and I-pads — the horrific Covid-19  pandemic.

Mostly all we hear are the worst of results.

Today I ask you to think of all of those who have survived.

All of those who smile and cry with those they tend to in hospitals.

Those who work behind closed doors getting the business needed done

Those who work in closed restaurants making food we can pick up and enjoy.  When we could make at home, and don’t want too.

Those who walk outside in the fresh spring air because there is very little else to do.

                 which makes them healthier.

You can now name your own perceptions of the positive around you.

There is positive news that is not being focused on in this virus infested world.