Friday of the Second Week of Easter
One of the ways I have been spending my time during the “Stay at Home” order is taking longer than usual walks with my dog. I feel very thankful that we live near some beautiful parks and trails, and I have been enjoying watching Spring unfold on these daily outings. However, although normally a creature of habit, I have found myself getting somewhat bored of the same walks every day. So today I decided to walk one of my usual routes backward (not walking backward, mind you, just doing it in the reverse direction). What a difference it made! Hills and turns and views looked and felt different -- It gave me a different perspective. While you may be wondering what, if anything, this has to do with today’s readings, it does...so please read on.
This week’s readings seem a little backward or out of order. We have not yet celebrated Pentecost, yet the First readings are from the Acts of the Apostles (which begins with the Ascension and Pentecost) and the Gospel readings, although we are in the Easter season, are from John prior to Jesus’ death and resurrection. I know it’s no mistake; and although I may not know the full theological and/or liturgical basis for it, I do know that it has opened my eyes to the disciples’ experience from a different perspective (hence the connection with my backward walk today!).
Today we read about Jesus feeding the 5,000+ gathered, with just five loaves and two fish. The disciples are still fairly clueless at this point and can’t imagine how they (or Jesus) could possibly feed all of these people with what appears to simply be “not enough.” Also today, we read about the post-Pentecost disciples fearlessly and joyfully proclaiming Jesus even after being imprisoned and beaten for it. What a difference we see in the disciples from just a couple of weeks ago! From denying they even know him and hiding in fear in the upper room to courageously speaking in Jesus’ name and even rejoicing in their suffering! From fear and lack of courage and abundance with the gift of the Spirit.
Let us pray for the grace to see our fears and needs, the world’s fears and needs, from a different perspective -- the perspective of post-Pentecost disciples. As today’s psalm (27) reminds us, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear? The Lord is my life’s refuge; of whom should I be afraid?”
~Eileen Miller