Sunday April 12th, 2015 2nd Sunday of Easter John 20:19-31
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." (verse 21)
For many Christians, keeping God contained within the four walls of the church, seems the thing to do when Christianity is seen as “too prominent” in society; our religious holidays having a more secular ring to them is something Christians struggle with. How are we called to be Christians in a world of pluralism and tolerance? To hide God in a box, or to live Christ risen in our midst?
That first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered in the Upper Room, hiding out to keep their faith strong from the outside world of critique, they, too, felt like they needed to keep God in a box, away from harm and discredit. And as always, Jesus appeared to them, gently challenging their attempt at hiding God in a box.
Nothing can hold God away from the world, because God is in and of the world; indeed, God loves the world. No, we cannot hold God within the walls of the church. Christ invites us into the world and all it has to offer-to love it as much as God does.
God in our midst, you call us into your world of service. Give us courage and peace to love the world as you do. Amen. — TLR
Contributed by God’s not in a box
For many Christians, keeping God contained within the four walls of the church, seems the thing to do when Christianity is seen as "too prominent" in society; our religious holidays having a more secular ring to them is something Christians struggle with. How are we called to be Christians in a world of pluralism and tolerance? To hide God in a box, or to live Christ risen in our midst?
That first day of the week, when the disciples were gathered in the Upper Room, hiding out to keep their faith strong from the outside world of critique, they, too, felt like they needed to keep God in a box, away from harm and discredit. And as always, Jesus appeared to them, gently challenging their attempt at hiding God in a box.
Nothing can hold God away from the world, because God is in and of the world; indeed, God loves the world. No, we cannot hold God within the walls of the church. Christ invites us into the world and all it has to offer-to love it as much as God does.
