THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

REFLECTIONS ON THEME

The resurrection may be an interesting historical fact, but if that’s all it is, it has little value for us today. This week’s Lectionary readings make it clear, however, that the resurrection of Jesus is way more than just an event of the past.  Every reading offers the assurance that God’s life is available to us now in Christ.  In both Peter’s preaching and his letter, he affirms that Christ’s resurrection is real and is a promise that God’s life is available to all. The Psalm, which Peter quotes in his Pentecost sermon, expresses the Psalmist’s assurance of God’s care and life, and is taken by Peter as a prophecy of Christ’s resurrection.  Finally, in the Gospel reading, John demonstrates how Christ’s resurrection inspires and empowers his disciples, and how Thomas is dramatically drawn into faith. Put together, these readings give us a basis for confidence as we face the challenges – the ‘little deaths’  -  of each day, and they invite us to experience Christ’s resurrection life now, not just after we have died. So, resurrection is not just an amazing thing that happened long ago. It can be our lived experience every moment. – Sacridise

Excerpts from Synod sermon 2026. Rt. Rev. Leon Paul Golding, Bishop of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

“If the Church is to remain relevant, we cannot close our minds to new research, discoveries, and developments across various disciplines, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Ignorance is not a Christian virtue. At times, the old cannot fit into the new, nor the new into the old. Some new developments can help us carry out God’s mission more effectively and efficiently. If we are to remain faithful to God’s call, we may, therefore, need to let go of some old practices.

“Through God’s grace, modern developments can help us become conveyors of hope and channels of healing in people’s lives.

Jesus’ ministry embraced people of every background, gender, and social status, bringing healing and hope. The Church must, likewise, be welcoming to all, engaging in dialogue across all levels of society so that we may truly be conveyors of hope and channels of healing, helping people to navigate our changing world and ensuring that no one falls through the cracks. We need leadership at all levels that inspires hope through integrity and hard work. When people repeatedly hear of corruption and misappropriation in high places, they can lose faith in honest pathways to success. We need leaders whose examples restore hope.”

As customary every year, the churches in the St. Andrew Deanery participate in an exchange/rotation of clergy, servers and musicians on the second Sunday of Easter. Today, we extend Easter greetings and welcome to Canon Michael Allen, servers, choristers and musicians of the Church of the Ascension, Mona to the St. Luke’s Cure.

He is Risen, He’s Risen Indeed. Alleluia!

Patrick +