The magi were seekers, and they found what they were looking for, and it changed them,

it changed the way they walked back home, and their journey beckons us to look for a new path even while we long to return.

And we, like Thomas, have stood back, shaking our heads at their stories, doubting their telling, unconvinced of their truth. We have demanded our right to see and touch, no matter how painful that demand is for someone else. We have held our tongues, except for the occasional spoken doubt.

This Easter season, I want to remove some of the saintly aura around the doubt of Thomas.

The fear of the unknown is awful.

I’m beginning to believe the fear of the nearly known is worse - we’ve seen what has happened elsewhere. We’ve seen what happens to others. We are sure that we’re next.

It’s a strange uncertainty because we can be certain things will get worse, we just don’t know when.

But, we are unified in our uncertainty and while that is uncomfortable, today I am grateful for the unity.

In each intentional placement and planting God-the-first-science-teacher wanted us to see that these Messiah promises are as bright and ancient as a star and as strong yet tender as a new shoot pushing through the soil. 

We still long for reminders of the miracle. 

We still long for the miracle itself. 

Holy One, we dare once again to call you Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer;

though we are reeling from the violence in this world you created, 

though we are angered and hurt by acts that feel as though they are beyond redemption, 

though we grieve lives that were not sustained in their earthly form. 

Wherever you are on your journey, I believe you were created with intention by a God who loves more than we can imagine, that you are loved and cherished by the Divine, and you are needed - just as you are - to make Creation complete.

“…but: The Gospel is not a mechanism for traveling with the burden of shame and guilt.”

...God we find ourselves wondering where are YOU?