Touch Me, Touch Me Not

At our third beloved early morning, Lenten Bible Study, we made together, a difficult decision, to "postpone" for a season of weeks, our last three Lenten mornings together, to another season of the Church's year-the spring season of Pentecost. It is the season of living out the Church's life after the transformation of Jesus' life from death on the cross to the New Life of Resurrection. We go from utter sorrow, to the joyous shouts of "He lives! The Lord is risen! He is risen, indeed!"

In wonder, the Church explodes. Three thousand new people are added to the Church. It is the season of Pentecostal Power, where Jesus says, "Go into all the world, preaching and healing. But, don't go, until you have received POWER FROM ON HIGH!" In other words, don't go until you have secured power to do the work."

Our fellowship group of such love we cherish, will move to the last three Thursday mornings of the Pentecost Season, mid-May to nearly Pentecost Sunday, May 31st.

We do it to give our groping, grappling, Pandemic season a chance to heal as it finds ways to protect our people, our churches, our homes, our families, our "nativeland," our own "nearest and dearest," praying God's hand upon us all - even, down to the always miraculous coming of spring, so that we can come together without fear, in the spring of the year, having learned much, and come close together with the same dear fellowship God has given us in the heart of Lent.

I'll so miss my seeking, believing family of Christian pals that have become so dear to me.

In the meantime, things have come to me today that remind me of the fears of the world learning to hug, to show love by coming close, by showing love through holding those dear, through not being afraid to touch.

I've thought of an old song, "you only hurt the ones you love, the ones you didn't mean to hurt at all," -- the inadvertent ways we've shielded ourselves, shunned others - even dear ones - showing our grudge, the cold withdrawal of our heart. Not ever pretty.

Instead, we can practice love by sight; letting our eyes meet others. By smiling often, by waving. And other signs and gestures. By talking, by acknowledging other people's presence. By being present, ourselves. Jesus, after all, was "THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD" and reminded us that we, having Him in us, are to be the same like Him,  Light in the world.

And, what an opportunity to pray for each other! And even write to each other. Speaking words of love.

We don't need to say, "Don't touch me," but rather "I love you."  Christians all, let's try!

Love you.
Arthur