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Meals Invite Recognition
Luke bends over backward in this week’s gospel reading to demonstrate that the risen Jesus’ presence in our lives isn’t just a figment of the imagination. We must first understand that the early Christian community did not have just one way to surface the risen Jesus in their lives. Paul reminded his communities, the risen Jesus wasn’t the resuscitated historical Jesus appearing to his followers; that Christ could be experienced in many different situations and in many different forms. After all, as the Apostle put it, the risen Jesus is a new creation, unlike anyone or anything we’ve encountered before. Yet Christ is real.
Luke’s risen Jesus makes two Easter Sunday appearances in situations which have something to do with food. Perhaps he was appealing to Episcopalians! Firstly, Jesus makes himself known to his two “runaway” disciples at the inn in Emmaus during “the breaking of bread.” Secondly, in today’s passage, he proves he’s not a ghost by eating a piece of baked fish. In Luke’s day and age, a proof that someone was real and not a ghost was eating something. A ghost couldn’t pull that off, since whatever ghosts ate would simply fall through their apparent bodies and end up on the floor. They don’t have “flesh and bones” as the risen Jesus has.
There seems to be a deeper reason for Luke putting Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances in the context of meals. The first Christians most frequently experienced the risen Jesus during the times in which they broke bread together, when they celebrated the Lord’s Supper. It wasn’t so much that they discovered this new creation in the bread and wine as much as in those who participated in the meal. In I Corinthians 11, for instance, we hear Paul bemoan a situation in that Greek Christian community in which some fail to “recognize the body” during the communal meal which then comprised Eucharistic celebrations. It’s clear from the context that he’s talking about the Body of Christ found in the community, not the Body of Christ found in the bread and wine. No one seems to have had problems surfacing Jesus in the latter; it’s the former – finding him/her in one another – that became the trademark, and the test of true Christian faith.
Discovering Jesus in those around us can be a messy process. People’s personalities will always be a stumbling block. Perhaps that’s why forgiveness is a constant theme in our Christian biblical writings. Even Peter even forgives those who crucified Jesus! Though he’s convinced they “. . . denied the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released,” Peter also presumes they “. . . acted out of ignorance.” Even those who killed “the author of life” can be forgiven.
The Risen Jesus is alive among us, alive in the people around us. Is it possible that our determination to forgive one another might be the first step in discovering Jesus in one another?
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Luke 24:36b-48
Jesus himself stood among the disciples and their companions and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.” And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, “Have you anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence.
Then he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you– that everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.”
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“Sundays in April
Episcopal Café returns at 9:15 AM in The Chapel”
4/19 Natural and Mineral Resources A Theological Reflection,
Part 2: Led by Craig Ewing
Click here to read the article
4/26 Gospel Seven Words: Led by Victoria Hatch
Click here to read the article
5/3 If God Isn’t Enough, What Is?
5/10 Used People
5/17 Confirmation Sunday- Bishop’s Visit: NO SESSION
5/24 The Power of Pentecost
5/31 What Is Your Story?
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“Tuesdays at 7:00 PM in the Library”
4/21 Renewing the Face of the Earth: Environment/Sustainability,
Part 1: Facilitator: Br. John Charles Westaway
4/28 Renewing the Face of the Earth:Environment/Sustainability,
Part 2: Facilitator: Audrey Spencer
5/5 Instructional Eucharist.
Presented by by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch.
Open to all parishioners.
Why we do what we do on Sundays.
We will meet in the church for this date only.
5/12 The Psalms: Orientation.
Presented by Rev. Canon Victoria Hatch
5/19 Accessing the Psalms.
Presented by Jerry Di Noto
5/26 A Zen Perspective on the Psalms.
Presented by Bro. John Charles Westaway
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Our Homeless Brothers and Sisters
Still Need Your Help
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Our goal now is to resume monthly deliveries of new underwear and socks to Roy’s residents – a gift that is both urgently needed and much appreciated. Please help feed the hungry and clothe the naked with a financial contribution this month. Simply drop your check, payable to “St. Paul in the Desert,” in the collection plate or hand it to an usher with a notation on the “memo” line that it is for the “Roy’s Fund.” For more information contact Chris Kelly at 760-406-2978. Both the Roy’s team and residents are truly grateful for your support.
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A WELCOMING, EMPOWERING, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY
Our mission statement calls us to be “a welcoming, empowering and supportive community.” We are currently forming a new ministry at St Paul’s to support that mission. Volunteers are needed from all three services to donate approximately 90 minutes of their time per month. That time is split into 3-30 minute segments: 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the service you attend, once per month, to support the Welcoming Table located in the Narthex and another 30 minutes a month assisting with name badge organization. If you are able to lend a hand, please contact Mike Funke at 760.-409.0986 or mike.funke@yahoo.com!
Help us live our mission statement!
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REPORT MISCONDUCT
As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a safe haven for everyone, our diocese trains people in the prevention of misconduct and encourages all to report misconduct. All reported incidents are taken seriously and investigated thoroughly and confidentially. If you believe you have experienced misconduct of any kind, please contact the John Seitman, at jseitman@pacbell.net or 858-793-4426.
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At the Church
of St. Paul
in the Desert
. . . we welcome all worshipers to a place free of violence, bullying, and abuse. Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable because of our understanding of what it means to follow Jesus. Please let Jesus’ command to love your neighbor as yourself be your guide.
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CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
The church office is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm with a lunch break from 11:30 am until 1:00 pm.
Please observe that the office is not open for walk-ins on Mondays. If you call, please leave a message. In case of emergencies, a priest will return your call.
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Taizé Worship
. . . service returns on May 7th at 7 PM. This is a contemplative, candle-lit service of chanting, prayer and meditation. All are welcome to join us. Bring a candle and a friend! Our last Taize service before summer break will be on June 4th at 7 PM.
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Children’s Baptisms
. . . will take place Sunday, May 17th at the 10:30 service with Bishop Mathes presiding. If you would like to have your child baptized, please call Marco Barrios in the Parish Office at 760.320.7488, ext. 227, to schedule an appointment with Fr. Andrew.
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Save the Date:
Saturday, May 2nd, from 9 AM to Noon. Fr. David Caffrey will present a workshop on Intercessory Prayer in the Parlor of the Parish Hall. The Daughters of the King host this event and invite all interested Parishioners to attend.
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HOLY COMMUNION
SERVICE
FOR
LOCAL CARE FACILITIES
Holy Communion at Windsor Court, 201 South Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, is hosted by the Nursing Home Ministry on the second Wednesday of the month, next, on May 13, at 10:15am. The Presiding Priest always welcomes assistance from parishioners.
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COFFEE HOUR CELEBRATION
Please consider hosting a Coffee Hour celebration. A binder at the entrance to the Parish Hall indicates available Sundays throughout the year. If you have questions, call Ray or Cheryl Kelley at 760.778.1725.
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PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The Prayer Shawl Ministry invites you to join our circle on Wednesday’s from 10am -1pm in Hogarth Hall. Whether you wish to learn to knit or crochet or are an expert needleworker, we welcome you. Needles, hooks and yarn are provided. Please drop in to create and enjoy our prayerfully made creations.
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Bullying Behavior Not Welcome Here
At St. Paul in the Desert we welcome all worshipers to a place that is free of violence and bullying.
Physical, verbal or emotional violence against others or against oneself is not acceptable.
“It Gets Better” is a series of video messages to encourage Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, or Transgender youth and let them know that they are loved as they are.
“A Blessing for Those Who Are Bullied” was written by the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, a Bishop of the Episcopal Church.
It is not enough to say “NO” to bullies. It is important to stand up for people and to provide resources for those who have been the targets.
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Episcopalians Against Gun Violence
. . . is an ad-hoc group of bishops, clergy and lay people disseminating information about Episcopalians who are working, collectively and individually, to curb gun violence. For further information, click here.
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Our Partnership
with
Katherine Finchy
Elementary School
. . . continues through our donations of classroom supplies. Please take a blue classroom supply wish list, available from the ushers, (or view and print), to use when you go shopping. Please place your donations in the basket marked “Katherine Finchy Elementary” located in the Narthex. You may also bring your purchased supplies to the Church Office during business hours. If you are unable to shop, but would like to help financially, please make your check out to “St. Paul in the Desert” and write “Katherine Finchy” on the memo line.
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