Acts 9:36-43 (NRSV)
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Verse 36Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. Verse 37At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Verse 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, "Please come to us without delay." Verse 39So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Verse 40Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, "Tabitha, get up." Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. Verse 41He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. Verse 42This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Verse 43Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.
Devotion
We saw Lucille lying peacefully in her coffin. Soon afterward, as her family was ushered into the church, they were surprised by quilts draped on the backs of their seats. She had a hand in making a good number of them. She also knitted caps for children with another group of women at our church. She was a modern Dorcas for whom freezing people in many countries give thanks. Her ministry to others continues.
Today, however, we have no apostle Peter to raise even one of our members from the dead. No matter how much the deceased is still needed, we must say goodbye to all our loved ones at their funerals. But, as Peter knew, Jesus was alive again. And so we, in text, liturgy, song and sermon, receive the promise of resurrection. Lucille will be resurrected, too, at our Lord’s return. Those who die in Christ are with him even now. One day we shall all die, but what a hope that on the last day, our Lord will say to us, “Get up.”
Prayer
Lord, may your living presence lead us to give ourselves to serving others as you did. Amen.