Christian Reflection and Prayer

The righteous know the needs of their animals,
but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

 

Proverbs 12:10

 

Voice

 

Kindness and compassion towards all living things is
a mark of a civilized society. Conversely, cruelty,
whether it is directed against human beings or against
animals, is not the exclusive province of any one
culture or community of people.
Cesar Chavez

 

Prayer

 

God of tenderness, grow within us the inexhaustible
mercy that proceeds from you, and help us to see the
beauty of your creation present in all living things.

 

(Sojourners)

 

"Happy are those who have not seen and yet believe"
(John 20:29).

 

According to NASA officials, no one has ever been killed
by a meteorite strike -- that is until a few weeks ago.

 

As some of you may have read in recent news accounts,
"a man was killed after being struck by a meteorite in India,
apparently becoming the first person in recorded history to
die in such a manner." Talk about bad luck! The man died
after suffering severe injuries while walking on a college
campus where the meteorite struck, the Wall Street Journal
reported. Three others were hurt in the blast.

 

Fortunately, injuries from Meteorite strikes are incredibly rare.
NASA experts explained that while the likelihood of a person
being killed by a meteorite is infinitesimally small, it is
reasonable and logical to assume that the likelihood
increases in proportion to the size of the impacting comet or
asteroid.-1

 

The Apostle John has written, "No one has ever seen God."
That is a reasonable, logical statement. We may even joke
that we have a better chance of being struck by a meteorite
than seeing God. When we see in this sense, we see objects,
things outside of us whether near or far.

 

In today's Gospel Lesson, the disciple Thomas' confession --
"My Lord and my God" -- is the most profound expression of
Jesus' Lordship and Divinity to be found in all of Scripture. It
goes beyond belief in what Thomas saw before him -- the
Risen Jesus. It expresses our Christian belief in its fullness:
MY LORD IS RISEN.

 

(Sunday Sermons Online)

"Preparing His Witnesses"
By Rev. Wayne Palmer

 

Lenten Devotion

 

As they (the disciples) were talking about these things,
Jesus Himself stood among them, and said to them,
"Peace to you!" (Luke 24:36).

 

Resurrection Monday

 

Read Luke 24:36-49.

 

The two Emmaus disciples are back with the disciples in
Jerusalem sharing their experience. Suddenly, Jesus is
standing right there in their midst. He immediately says,
"Peace to you!"

 

But the disciples are gripped with fear. Had Jesus knocked
on the door and walked into their midst, instead of suddenly
appearing, no one would be suspecting it was a ghost
standing among them. He immediately invites them to touch
His flesh and bones so they can be convinced He is no
ghost or spirit. He adds visual proof by eating a piece of
broiled fish.

 

Once they are convinced He is risen, Jesus explains why He
had to suffer, die and rise again. He not only appeals to
Moses and the Old Testament prophets, He reminds them of
the times He had foretold these things before His death. Then
He opens their minds so they can understand what He
accomplished by His cross and empty grave.

 

These are the witnesses He will send out into the world, but
their eyewitness testimony alone will not be enough. The Holy
Spirit will empower them and open the hearts of those who
hear and read their words. Through these weeks of Lent we
have read their eyewitness testimony. Through their eyes we
have seen Jesus crucified and buried for us, and risen again
in glory. May Christ's forgiveness, peace and eternal joy be
yours until we see Him with our own eyes and touch Him with
our own hands in Paradise.

 

THE PRAYER:

 

Lord Jesus, thank You for the testimony of Your eyewitness
disciples, and for sending Your Spirit to create and strengthen
my faith through their words. Now send me as Your witness,
that I may share Your suffering, death and resurrection-wherever
You lead me. Amen.

 

(Lutheran Hour Ministries)