In the Lectionary

April 7, Easter 2B (John 20:19–31)

Thomas’s experience with the risen Christ is a testament to the possibilities Easter creates.

In 1997 I went to new york city for the very first time. I had been enamored with the idea of the place for as long as I could recall, so getting the opportunity to go with some classmates from my high school was a dream come true. As you can imagine, we hit all the touristy hotspots—the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Times Square. Each one felt surreal. My 16-year-old brain could hardly process it all. The memory that I think of most, however, is about something I didn’t see. The details are foggy now, but here’s what I know: while I was briefly wandering off to see some site, some of my friends had a close encounter with Will Ferrell.

Yes, that Will Ferrell. Of Anchorman fame.

At the time he was just taking off on Saturday Night Live, doing bits like the Spartan Cheerleader, and I was a huge fan. The idea of even brushing past him on the street was more than I could fathom. And I totally missed seeing him. I regret it to this day. Couldn’t the hot dog or whatever have waited?