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dare to hope

PUSHBACK IS LIKELY

4/7/2021

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Rev. Charles Hoffacker
Today is the Wednesday in Easter Week. The first reading at the Eucharist, Acts 3:1-10, recounts how shortly after Jesus rose from the dead, Peter and John heal a lame man at the Jerusalem temple and publicly declare that Jesus is back. The bystanders are amazed by what is happening.

The authorities quickly arrive and arrest the two disciples on the charge of announcing the resurrection of the crucified criminal Jesus of Nazareth. Peter and John did this both by preaching and by healing a handicapped beggar in his name. They experience pushback. These disciples end up in big trouble for making the world more like God’s kingdom.

When we act as they did, when we do something for the love of Jesus that makes lame people leap and heartbroken folk rejoice, then our intervention, whether fruitful or not, is likely to produce pushback from the powers that be or their front men.

Don’t be surprised when this happens. Expect it.

Above all, don’t let pushback slow you down or turn you around. Remember something Jesus said shortly before his death and resurrection, something he must have said with a smile: “Take courage; I have conquered the world.”
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    The Rev. Charles Hoffacker is a retired priest of the Diocese of Washington
    who lives in Greenbelt, Maryland. He and his wife Helena Mirtova are members of Ascension and St. Agnes.

    The Rev. Mary McCue, is a vocational deacon and currently ministers at Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes.
    ​
    The Rev. Dominique Peridans is the Rector of Church of the Ascension and St. Agnes. 

    Molly Jane Layton is a seminarian intern at Ascension and St. Agnes. 

    Zach Baker Rodes is a seminarian intern at Ascension and St. Agnes.

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  • Welcome
    • Newcomers >
      • Letter to Inquirers
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • How to Find Us
    • Childcare
  • Who We Are
    • Our Beliefs >
      • Statements of Mission, Vision, Beliefs & Value
      • What is an Anglo-Catholic?
      • Apolitical or Supra Political?
    • Our History
    • Our Leadership >
      • Parish Staff
      • Vestry
  • Worship
    • About our Worship >
      • Attending Mass
      • Music
  • Formation
    • About Formation
    • Adult Formation >
      • Adult Theology Upcoming
      • Adult Theology Archive >
        • Knowing Christ
    • Sermons
  • Connect
    • Contact us
    • Rector's Weekly Letter
    • Pastoral Care >
      • Pastoral Offices >
        • Reconciliation (Confession)
      • Prayer Requests
    • Stewardship >
      • Stewardship Letter
      • Givelify Instructions
      • Planned Giving
      • Endowment Fund
  • Calendar
  • Baptism
  • Outreach
  • Feasibility Study