We are brought into the mutual love that the Father and the Son share. Through Jesus’ death, we are given his life. Their mutual knowing becomes our knowing. It becomes who we are. In Christ, in our deepest being, we too are made to be lovers like God.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We know his voice because it speaks the truth. We know his voice because his words are life. We know his voice because the Holy Spirit helps us discern the Good Shepherd’s voice from that of strangers. We know his voice because he calls us by name.

The greatest joy in mission is not only in seeing people come to Christ. It is in knowing the joy that Christ experiences seeing people come to him, in having one of his own lost sheep come home to the fold.

Even Jesus’ closest friends had doubts believing in the resurrection and power of God. Most of the letters they later wrote were to overcome doubts the first generation of Christians had. That is why these letters in the New Testament are still relevant.

The resurrected Lord Jesus Christ invites us into the light of God. The incredible act of giving his life and rising to new life enables us to enter into a restored fellowship with the triune God. Walk in the light.

We too are Christ’s body. We too are sent out to the world as a wounded body. To bring the forgiveness we have received. To stop the cycle of violence. To own our wounds and allow the presence of Jesus, to heal us and forgive us. How do we do that? We do it the same way the disciples did, through intimate encounters with Jesus’ wounded body.