From The Desk of Deacon Judy
Bearing Witness
In last Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 24:36b-48) we saw the disciples bearing witness to the resurrected Jesus on the beach. He was very much alive and hungry. Jesus “opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.””
Jesus gave the disciples evidence that He was indeed the Risen Lord AND the disciples were then called to bear witness to Jesus, to proclaim their devout belief of Jesus’ love and forgiveness to all nations.
How do we bear witness to the Risen Lord? How is Jesus alive in our lives? How do we proclaim His Good News of love and forgiveness?
Last weekend I witnessed Jesus in the encounters with my fellow AFEDJ Trustees and Staff, folks who show Christ’s love through their commitment to serve the humanitarian ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem.
Archbishop Hosam Naoum and Canon Don Binder exuded peace, calm, and love even as they endure chaos and uncertainty in their own lives and in the lives of their flock in the Holy Lands. They bear witness to the profound love of Christ with their strong, steady, yet humble leadership. They bring hope to their troubled land.
On Sunday, I worshipped at St. John’s Lafayette Square, known as the “Church of the Presidents” as it is steps away from the White House. The Bishop of Washington DC, the Right Reverend Mariann Budde presided at the service. For her homily, she bore witness to her own spiritual journey, to the presence of Jesus in her life. She acknowledged the importance of scripture and prayer, but emphasized that, even with long dry periods of wondering about God’s presence, she came to know Jesus more deeply through special encounters with another person. These encounters have led her more and more to bear witness to Jesus’ love and forgiveness through her commitment to social justice.
What a gift it was to be in the presence of these faithful leaders who humbly inspire me to bear witness to Christ’s love in my life and to proclaim His Good News of love and forgiveness for all. It is my hope that I support you all in your unique call to serve. Outside of St. James, Jesus has called me to serve with global mission, through the work of the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, Episcopal Relief & Development, Episcopal Migration Ministries, and other global mission efforts.
May we all bear witness in our own unique way to Christ’s all-encompassing love.
Eastertide Blessings, Judy Q+
