Second Sunday of Pascha. Thomas Sunday. Our Venerable Father George, Bishop of Mitylene (829-42). Passing into Eternal Life (1919) of Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska, First Superior of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate.
Acts 5:12-20. John 20:19-31.
Read Acts 5:12-20
Christ is risen! Truly, He is risen!
The wear and tear of daily life, the many priorities competing for our attention, the big events that blindside us, the griefs that pile up – even the most well-adjusted among us go through periods of disorientation. For some of us, that is a more regular occurrence. How do we know if we’re on the right track? How do we get back on it? God has placed guideposts throughout history.
Abraham, willing to obey God and sacrifice his only son Isaac, was stopped by the Angel of the LORD. God provided a ram for sacrifice, and promised him, “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed.”
Moses was instructed to lead Israel in a unified observance of the Passover, resulting in their firstborn being spared and the nation being brought out of the land of Egypt.
King David’s son, Solomon, built and dedicated a single temple in Jerusalem for the worship of God according to His instructions, praying, “that Your eyes may be open toward this temple night and day…to listen to (Your people) whenever they call to You,” including, “a foreigner, who is not of Your people Israel, but has come from a far country for Your name’s sake.”
Then, “through the hands of the apostles (led by Peter) many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord… speak(ing) to the people all the words of this life.” From that time forward, the right track is this:
“Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5)
Come. Be built. Offer.