Many of you know that my husband John lives with dementia. Over the past six years his condition has progressed, such that although he is still physically very strong and active, his mind has become increasingly confused and chaotic. This means that his behavior is also increasingly chaotic – moving furniture around, stripping the sheets and blankets from the bed, tearing up paper and sometimes even clothing. He is not angry when he does this – he simply has work to do, and his mind is unable to focus or control that work.

It sometimes feels like he has a demon, or many demons, like the man that Jesus encounters in the country of the Gerasenes.

We are here this morning between Ascension behind us and Pentecost ahead.  Jesus is leaving, the Holy Spirit is coming but, not yet.  Do we hold on to what was or let go, look forward, and believe?   

This is appalling, Jesus' saying: "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me...." After what Jesus had gone through, wouldn't we expect Jesus to promise, "Follow me, and I will spare you of the cross"? But it's not "spare," it's "share." Jesus promises to share the cross with us, his followers. He calls us to take up our own cross to follow him. Which is not good news. It is very bad news. If only we could get out from under the cross, but it seems to hang over us all the time.

It is significant that on this Sunday we have the story of Dorcas introduced to us by name in our lesson from Acts this morning.  She is a disciple of Jesus whose good works and acts of charity bear witness to his ministry and his commandment to love one another.  Her death causes such grief among the women she has cared for that the disciples in Joppa, knowing Peter was nearby in Lydda, sent for him.   As Peter is taken upstairs to Dorcas, he sends the women out of the room, kneels and prays.  As he commands that she “get up”, Dorcas opens her eyes, takes Peter’s hand, and stands.   

What does the Resurrection mean today, and is there a place in our church for questioning and doubt for people of faith as well as people without faith who remain curious about Christian spirituality?

This is one of only two moments in this gospel that God speaks directly, that we hear the divine Voice. Maybe you remember the other time- when Jesus is baptized, God speaks from the heavens and says ‘this is my son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ This time, God says something similar, but it's directed to the disciples, “this is my Son, my chosen, listen to him.’ What can we make of that?