It takes time to have...
Illustration
It takes time to have a story unfold. Read the description of the scenes and acts in any play program. After describing the setting, the program will set the times with words like: "An afternoon in early April ... Later that evening ... A week later, etc."
Our Gospel lesson is like that: "Eight days later" (v. 26a). Knowing about the resurrection was not limited to the first Easter day. That day was more confusing than illuminating to some, and others, like Thomas, were clearly skeptical. When we encounter doubt in other people, or even in ourselves, let us not despair. We may have an opportunity to believe ... "eight days later."
When my oldest daughter was about six, she was quite proud about her understanding of what was going on at church. On one occasion, she was showing off her acquaintance with the last several Sundays of Lent. "There's One Great Hour of Sharing," she said, "and Passion Sunday, and Palm Sunday, and Easter. And, after Easter, (here, she paused for a moment, then continued) after Easter, it's still Easter," she said, happily.
There is still time.
Our Gospel lesson is like that: "Eight days later" (v. 26a). Knowing about the resurrection was not limited to the first Easter day. That day was more confusing than illuminating to some, and others, like Thomas, were clearly skeptical. When we encounter doubt in other people, or even in ourselves, let us not despair. We may have an opportunity to believe ... "eight days later."
When my oldest daughter was about six, she was quite proud about her understanding of what was going on at church. On one occasion, she was showing off her acquaintance with the last several Sundays of Lent. "There's One Great Hour of Sharing," she said, "and Passion Sunday, and Palm Sunday, and Easter. And, after Easter, (here, she paused for a moment, then continued) after Easter, it's still Easter," she said, happily.
There is still time.
