Sunday Stretch: Vol. 123, Easter 2

Start off your week with a grounded take on Bible, prayer, the world, and your life ...

Hi Readers,

I’m writing to you the morning after Easter, in the wake of Pope Francis’ death, and I have to admit that I’m tired. It feels like we are always waiting for a moment to catch our breaths, and that moment never comes.

I think the truth is that we can’t wait for those moments to come anymore. Instead, we have to prioritize them. We have to take them, insist upon them - as Jesus insisted upon meals and moments with his friends, even after the resurrection as he returned to earth.

This week’s Gospel reading is one that has been misinterpreted, weaponized, even in the cartoonish rendering of its main character, Thomas, as “Doubting Thomas.” The casting of shame upon one disciple for his doubt obscures the truth that doubt was a part of the total experience of following Jesus, for all the disciples (not to mention the truth that doubt is a part of a all of our lived experience, and if you never experience doubt, might I suggest a consultation for a potential personality disorder?)

I’m kidding. Like I said, I’m tired. But let’s take hope and renewal from Jesus’ response to Thomas: one rooted in love and acceptance rather than shame.

And I’m also hopeful because by the time you’re reading this, Sunday has come again, and I’m preparing to preach. Local readers, join me if you can at 10:45 a.m. at Lake Nokomis Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. Non-local readers, you can also catch the livestream here.

Let’s get to the texts!