Our Rector’s Page

I have come to understand the importance of stepping back from all the chaos and confusion and finding a quiet place to rest, reflect and re-energize. Perhaps its not only appropriate but also healthy to find a quiet room and close the door. Sometimes this happens because we are frightened or perhaps, confused. Most certainly it occurs when we are trying to make a major decision about the future.

In John 20:19, scripture tells a story of Jesus appearing to His disciples on the evening of the first day of the week. His followers were gathered together in a locked room out of fear. They were quite startled when Jesus arrived in the middle of them and said, “Peace be with you.” There are two really important factors:

The first is that He showed up! The second was His initial message, “Peace be with you”. Now some would be accurate if they said that we needed context. For these verses follow up on the story of the Resurrection. The disciples are experiencing intense grief, confusion, anxiety, and fear. Jesus had died and rose again, but they wondered if they would be next to lose their lives. Jesus miraculously appears in the room because our Lord’s resurrected body is not blocked by physical barriers. Jesus commissions the disciples to a new ministry declaring, “The Father has sent me and now I send you”. He offers them a peace beyond understanding and reassures them that He is in the midst of them.

Now some of you may be familiar with Thomas. Some folks might want to criticize Thomas for being the one that insisted on further proof of the Resurrection. Others may say that Thomas should have listened to his colleagues in ministry and believed everything they said. Still others would say that Thomas was “curious”. He wanted to experience the Resurrected Christ. Jesus did not seem particularly upset that Thomas had more questions.

Today, you and I are invited to ask more questions. We are encouraged to search out more information. We may feel stimulated to search for more experience of Jesus. At Grace Church you will experience a place of encouragement, affirmation, support, and love. Over the next several months, there will be opportunities for you to engage in a “learning church”, a place where books, tapes, seminars and workshops are happening all the time.

I want to personally invite you to take a few minutes this week to withdraw from the chaos and busyness of our world and take time to pause, pray, and prepare for whatever God has in mind for you in the next few weeks. These quiet times can truly be a blessing in your life.

May I encourage you to join us next Sunday as we talk about a Gospel that has a real, relevant, and revitalizing message for each of our lives.

Blessings on your week.

Yours in Christ,

Stephen