Local Urban Sketchers prompts...

Four sketches from a local week-long Facebook sketch-prompt group... 

May 2: "Alleys"

May 4: "Urban Flora & Fauna"

May 5: "Perspectives"

May 7: "Reflections"

All in and around my house as it's been too busy to venture anywhere!

 

Easter Sunday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Easter Sunday:

 

A homily earlier today brought to my attention the notion that Easter is not just a celebration, but also a calling. We not only remember and praise God for what He has done for us through the Resurrection, but are called to be transformed by it, to live it, to reflect and share its message and power. 

 

As I follow Jesus' disciples this Easter season, I think of how they were transformed from fearful fugitives hiding in the darkness of guilt and oppression, to bold and adventurous messengers of the gospel message. It was the experience of Jesus' Resurrection that utterly and decisively changed them; they went on to spark a movement to reach the ends of the earth, dying for their mission and changing the course of history forever. Without the inner transformation that took place in them, we would not be here today. 

 

As I, a spiritual descendant of Jesus' disciples, continue on this journey, I pray that the Resurrection be ever more central to my faith so that I might see my call with greater clarity.

Holy Saturday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holy Saturday, as we await the news to come:

 

The disciples, in their time of despair, and fear, had nothing to go on except the mysterious utterances of their teacher Jesus, who said something about being raised again on the third day. Those words, though unfathomable to them then, were perhaps their only source of hope.

 

As I also look towards that day when Jesus comes again to restore all things, I too cling to memories of His presence and His promises. With the disciples, I seek to respond to God's continuous encouragement to remember, and to not be afraid.

 

I pray that I might be granted hope despite a faith that sometimes feels smaller than a mustard seed, that we might see reality made new through the resurrection, each and every day.

Palm Sunday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On Palm Sunday: 

 

I came across two meditations today that made me more aware of the tensions posed by the story of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. 

 

Shall we, like the crowd, sing a joyous Hosanna knowing that on Friday we will mourn his death?

And as we wave our palm branches and lay down our cloaks to welcome our King, don’t we also recognize our voice in the crowd demanding that Jesus be crucified? 

 

I am grateful that this story seems to give us permission to experience and even live in this tension, as we work out our faith with Jesus in the coming week.