Ordinary Time 
Pause
Choosing to unplug, even for a few minutes, can be scary. What if we miss the latest tweet, post, or pic? We don’t want to be left behind in the fast-paced world of our always plugged-in friends.
As much as we like being connected to an entire world at our fingertips, it’s important to step away sometimes. Because the spiritual life is about connecting to something deeper within.
Now’s the time! Take the next few moments to reconnect, refocus, and relax. God is eager to spend time with you.
Listen
Jesus himself stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” They were terrified and afraid. They thought they were seeing a ghost.
He said to them, “Why are you startled? Why are doubts arising in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet. It’s really me! Touch me and see, for a ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones like you see I have.” As he said this, he showed them his hands and feet. Because they were wondering and questioning in the midst of their happiness, he said to them, “Do you have anything to eat?” They gave him a piece of baked fish. Taking it, he ate it in front of them.
Luke 24:36b-43
Think
I can’t think of a better time to be frightened. Can you imagine, the man you spent every day with for the past three years, who was just murdered, all of a sudden appears to you? “Peace be with you,” he says. “Why do you doubt it’s me?” he says. “Look here… touch me,” he says.
Doubt, disbelief, wonder. How can this be? What does he want with me?
It’s interesting, isn’t it? The thoughts and feelings we read about in these stories of Jesus with his disciples aren’t far from our own. Faith is not the absence of doubt. Rather, it is especially in our times of doubt, disbelief, and even despair that our faith is ultimately strengthened.
Take time today to encounter Jesus. Stop for a few minutes, read this story again. Imagine you are there, in the story. Truly focus on every word. Be present. Encounter the living Christ and be changed.
John McCrosky
Pray
Lord, I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief. Amen.
Go
When we encounter Christ, we are changed. Our faith, our hopes, our actions. Nothing is left the same.
What would happen if all we did and said reflected this transformative work that the living God is doing in us? What further changes would take place in our own hearts and in the world around us?
Go now, being bold enough to hope in this change.
