Monday, April 1, 2013 — Monday in Easter Week
[Go to http://www.missionstclare.com/english/index.html for an online version of the Daily Office including today’s scripture readings.]
Today’s Readings for the Daily Office
(Book of Common Prayer, p. 958)
Psalms 93, 98 (morning) 66 (evening)
Jonah 2:1-9
Acts 2:14, 22-32
John 14:1-14
“Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father.” (John 14:12)
How these words have come true. Through millions of compassionate disciples, wonderful good works have been accomplished in the name of Jesus. All of the wonderful acts of healing, feeding, restoring, and uniting have happened in the amplified quantities through the church and its institutions and through individual Christians living out their ministries.
Jesus fed the multitudes; Christian ministries have brought food to millions. Jesus was best known as a healer; Christian hospitals and doctors have brought healing ministries around the world. Jesus touched lepers; leprosy and so many other dread diseases have been overcome and limited; Christians are taking leading roles in addressing both the stigma and the care for persons living with AIDS. Jesus practiced a radical hospitality, especially toward outsiders, and offered gracious compassion to the poor; compassionate ministries and kind actions by his followers abound throughout the world. Jesus taught using illustrations from nature, showing a caring alertness toward plants, weather, birds and fish; Christian environmentalists are at the forefront of advocacy for our planet. Jesus taught people about a loving, gracious God whose forgiveness and compassion is without bound; the church proclaims the goodness of God, although our history is riddled with moments when we have been unable to embrace a God who is as loving as the One whom Jesus pictures. Jesus raised the dead to life; I have seen many who have found new life through Jesus and the ministries in his name, and I have seen a few who were physically dead rise and live again through medicine and mysteries beyond medicine.
Life in the resurrection is a life that seeks to imitate Jesus. Whenever that happens, his Spirit is present to accomplish the same reconciliation and healing that happened during Jesus’ earthly ministry. “I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” When we act in a manner that is consistent with Jesus’ Spirit, the same wonders happen.