The conversation turned a bit ugly when I asked some specific questions about the condition of a cottage I wanted to rent in the Maritimes. The neighbour representing the owner was an unpredictable local who exploded “You people are always demanding and nothing but trouble. I’m not renting it to you.” Saner heads prevailed and we rented the cottage and had a lovely vacation.  

It was a week yesterday since the resurrection and if you and I were huddled in a safe house with the disciples we would have had our second visit from Jesus declaring “Peace be with you”. I’ve been thinking about the humanity of these men and women, their faithfulness through Jesus’ ministry days and the moments where the men scattered, leaving him to face his suffering alone.  

Hopefully you have either recovered from or perpetrated some April Fool’s Day prank – or at least enjoyed one from a safe distance.  I don’t usually need a designated day to make a fool of myself, it seems to come naturally. Laughter is great medicine even when it’s at my expense – once I join in with it, the sting of embarrassment is resolved.  

Some philosophers, social scientists and writers over centuries have claimed that belief in God is simply a construct of the human need for a higher power of some sort. One can’t use scientific methods to prove or disprove God so there is room for plenty of humility in this discussion (and often lacking on both sides of the equation).  

Some years ago a friend asked me to join him at his lawyers’ office to witness some documents he was signing for a new venture. After some comical chit chat around our different faith roots – the lawyers identified themselves as High Holiday Synagogue attenders, sort of like our Christmas and Easter church attenders– they asked about how we supported our churches with tithes and offerings.