2 Easter 2024
Channel: St. Bartholomew's, Livermore
Date: 2024-04-07

Collect:  Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Scripture (John 20:30-31):  Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Reflection:  St. John the Evangelist summarizes the entire point of committing his Gospel to paper in this week's reading.  He recounts healings, miracles, exorcisms, signs, Jesus' Passion, and his glorious Resurrection, all for one simple purpose.  He hopes that in reading this account we will come to believe, and that in believing we will get to live life with a capital L, both in this world and the next.  And this raises a simple question: are we following John's example?  All of us experience the Lord's presence in and around us in unique ways.  When we experience the miracles and wonders that Christ performs in our lives do we keep it to ourselves, or do we dare to shout it from the housetops?  Yes, if we choose the latter course we risk ridicule or worse, but if we don't, how will anyone else ever come to believe in the Good News and find their lives transformed for the better from the inside out?  Let us dare to do what John did--share unashamedly the signs and wonders we have witnessed and experienced so that others might come to believe, and in believing find an infinitely abundant life.