It is the first day of the week, the first day of a new creation. In Genesis 2:7, God creates Adam by forming a clay nose out of the earth, blowing God’s very own breath into it. Jesus breathes into the moist, pliable clay of the Apostles and makes them a new creation through the presence of the Holy Spirit.

The resurrection not only involves the risen body of Jesus of Nazareth, but our own bodies as well. The resurrection envelops us through the gift of the Holy Spirit. By the in-breathing of Jesus, we can cry out with St. Paul: “It is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me” (Gal 2:20).

Thomas was absent when the risen Christ first appeared. Thomas receives a second chance a week later to witness the resurrection. However, do not be like him, presuming that you will have a second chance next week to worship, if you let this Sunday go by.

John 20:19–31

What are “Bible Breaths”? Learn More…
Example: Jesus: my Lord and my God v. 28

Sundays are dedicated to the Gospels from the Revised Common Lectionary.
In year C, during the Easter Season, we read from John’s Gospel, with Luke in the Seventh Week.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.

The center of the year for the Jewish people is Passover, as Easter is for Christians. The Torah reading unfolds the beauty, the power, and the presence of God. The Lord’s goodness and mercy are described. Be with Moses as the glory of the Lord is revealed to him and to you, through the Holy Spirit.

Learn about the Seder, the supper that recalls the Exodus. There are foods symbolic of the suffering endured such as salt water for the tears shed, and horseradish for the bitterness experienced in suffering so much.

This is a day of solidarity with all those in bondage in one form or another. We intercede for them that the pathways to liberation would become open—that all the “Red Seas” in their lives would split apart so that they can walk on to freedom.

Exodus 33:12—34:26

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Example: “My presence will go with you.” 33:14

The Saturday passages follow the reading list that Jewish people use in their synagogue worship
throughout the world. They are taken from
“The Torah,” the first five books of the Bible from Genesis to Deuteronomy
that are read each year beginning with autumn.

For all the Firestarters I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information

Be alert to expressions of power of various kinds. There is the fullness of power in the presence of the Holy Spirit, imparted by the hands of Paul, and by articles of his clothing as well. There is the power of faith-filled persons who receive the Holy Spirit because of their openness to this gift.

Pride fills the noisy, arrogant mob in Ephesus. The Holy Spirit sweetly invades the ancient temple of Artemis. The power of Jesus before the demons in the Gospels is now at work in the church, the new temple of God’s enduring presence in the world.

Reflect upon the areas of your life where you sense power at work. The greatest power in you is the Holy Spirit.

Acts 18:23—19:41

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Example: Holy Spirit: come on me. 19:6

Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
In the season of Easter this year we read Acts 18:23—28:31

For all the Firestarters in the original version, I recommend the ebook.  You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these Firestarters with you on your phone or tablet. Check the menu options at the site for more information.