May 1, 2023

“Those who had been baptized devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.” (Acts 2:42)

John Prine sings, “Make me an angel / That flies from Montgomery / Make me a poster / Of an old rodeo / Just give me one thing / That I can hold on to / To believe in this livin' / Is just a hard way to go.”  The bible confirms that living is difficult and dying is scary.

The newly baptized people in this reading from Acts didn’t decide to get all religious or spiritual. Those terms don’t even come close to applying.

They all knew what we know – living is difficult and dying is scary. Learning the apostles’ teachings (forgiveness in Christ Jesus), being together with fellow strugglers, being reminded of Christ’s death in the bread and the wine, and crying out to God for help in prayer is just the best way to live this earthly life.

“O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.” (Fourth Sunday of Easter – BCP)