Everyday resurrection meals

“Our Sunday worship is important. The bible studies we attend are important. The retreats we make are important. But over a lifetime, the unnoticed and unrecognized presence of the risen Christ at our meals may be more formative of the life in Christ in us.” E. Peterson (Living the Resurrection).

It is important to note that some of the most critical spiritual moments of teaching and spiritual experience happen around meals – the Passover meal, the Emmaus meal, the beach in Galilee. It raises all kinds of questions as to how we go about our Eucharist meal and how we ought to meet more often around the common daily meal in Christian Fellowship. It also asks the question – how often we meet around the table as a family and recognize in our discussions that Christ has been with us in our daily recap stories and in our laughter.

Gospel Gossip

Easter tomorrow and I am preaching on the God who seeks life rather than suffering. The woman at the tomb were instructed that Christ was not to be found among the dead but the living. The God-man Jesus spent most of his life "giving life" in all manner and means and not sitting with only a sympathetic ear. Another aspect of the scripture account came to me this morning. After realizing the risen Jesus, the woman rush back to tell everybody. This also includes Peter who goes back to tell. There is no ways you can contain the import of such an event within yourself. There are many things in life that are wiser kept closer to the breast, but the surprise of life offered to us by God should be imparted with enthusiasm. The response will no doubt be with cynical retort, but the heart alive in the risen Christ will blurt it out non-the-less. It is important that we move from Church on Sunday blurting forth the Good News. It is the one day I encourage folk to Gossip as much as they want. But, that is Gossip with a big “G.” Gospel gossip. I have asked worshipers leaving our Tenebrae and Good Friday services to leave in quietness and reverence, but will not do the same tomorrow. Christ is risen.

Palm Sunday in Zimbabwe

Lk19:39 "Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, order your disciples to stop." He answered, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would shout out."


There comes a time when you just have to do what is right. Regardless the circumstances or the consequences you must do it. If you don’t you will loose face or you will not account for much. It is the difference between whether you want people to like you or you want people to respect you. This final push into Jerusalem for Jesus was that kind of moment. A Spiritual revolution was afoot. The religious climate was draconian and stifling to the average worshiper. It was now time for something to be done. Somebody had to pay the price to make a difference. Negotiations were not going to work, it would take a person prepared to sacrifice himself for the sake of freedom. Just on the border of South Africa lies a country Zimbabwe that is on the verge of political revolution. The leader Mugabe, a geriatric tyrant has dragged his country into the worst of crises. Turning on his own people he has used racial rhetoric to justify his own hold on power and privilege. Palm Sunday is happening in Zimbabwe. The people once opposed are rising up for truth and are prepared to be brought down with the crack of a whip or tied up from trees and be beaten. The colt is walking its way to the capital Harare. The people shouting the praises of truth and real power. Our hope is that God will rise supreme in Zimbabwe and the praises of the people will not be manipulated to suite another power struggle and yet another self important political regime. May Easter come for Zimbabwe in 2007.