Today was one of those days when I remember the words of my Vicar, when I was a newly ordained priest in Hawera, 33 years ago. Doug Pullar said: "Some of Jesus greatest miracles were done as interruptions on the way to something else."
I had plans for today but our Parish nurse came into my office to say the people who were going to do a rest home communion were unwell. What was to happen? Cancel it - or what about me going? Long story short, I went.
Though it's over a week to Easter Day, (and we have Palm Sunday as well as Good Friday first) I decided to do the Easter theme with them and read of the resurrection from the opening verses of Matthew 28.
The congregation was 8 senior ladies and Jocelyn, one of our worship leaders. I read how the 1st witnesses to Jesus resurrection were women. These older women who gathered with me to share a cup of wine and some bread, were also being strong witnesses of Jesus resurrection.
The angel said "don't be afraid" (angels often say that - probably with good reason!) and then the risen Jesus said the same thing. They both in turn said to tell the men, so those witnesses then became evangelists - telling the good news.
We were all quite stoked about how we can all be used powerfully by Jesus, even in the most unlikely places; even in our most unlikely state. We only need to be available. He is more interested in our avail-ability than our ability; our ability to avail our selves to him and his purposes.
Good lesson. And in the end, most of todays plans actually happened.
Thank you Lord. Another miracle!
I had plans for today but our Parish nurse came into my office to say the people who were going to do a rest home communion were unwell. What was to happen? Cancel it - or what about me going? Long story short, I went.
Though it's over a week to Easter Day, (and we have Palm Sunday as well as Good Friday first) I decided to do the Easter theme with them and read of the resurrection from the opening verses of Matthew 28.
The congregation was 8 senior ladies and Jocelyn, one of our worship leaders. I read how the 1st witnesses to Jesus resurrection were women. These older women who gathered with me to share a cup of wine and some bread, were also being strong witnesses of Jesus resurrection.
The angel said "don't be afraid" (angels often say that - probably with good reason!) and then the risen Jesus said the same thing. They both in turn said to tell the men, so those witnesses then became evangelists - telling the good news.
We were all quite stoked about how we can all be used powerfully by Jesus, even in the most unlikely places; even in our most unlikely state. We only need to be available. He is more interested in our avail-ability than our ability; our ability to avail our selves to him and his purposes.
Good lesson. And in the end, most of todays plans actually happened.
Thank you Lord. Another miracle!
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