We celebrate this week of the Easter season by entering more deeply into the stories of the early followers of Jesus. All week in Acts, we will read of an increasing boldness by the disciples, and the beginning of Paul's ministry to the Gentiles.

John's gospels continue to draw us into the image of Jesus as our shepherd, loving us with an individual tenderness. Jesus continues to tell us that he and the Father are one. Like his followers, we sometimes simply can't see it.

This is a week to pray with joy for the love God showers on us and for the presence of Jesus' warm caring for us in our everyday lives. We are not perfect. We are not sin-free.

But we are loved by our Risen God - and that is what we celebrate in this season.