Fifth Sunday of Easter: Love One Another without Distinction

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 11:1-18  (NRSV)

Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, saying, "Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?" Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. I also heard a voice saying to me, `Get up, Peter; kill and eat.' But I replied, `By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' But a second time the voice answered from heaven, `What God has made clean, you must not call profane.' This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, `Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.' And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, `John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?" When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, "Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life."

Psalm 148 (BCP., p.805)


Revelation 21:1-6 (NRSV)

I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

"See, the home of God is among mortals.

He will dwell with them as their God;

they will be his peoples,

and God himself will be with them;

he will wipe every tear from their eyes.

Death will be no more;

mourning and crying and pain will be no more,

for the first things have passed away."

And the one who was seated on the throne said, "See, I am making all things new." Also he said, "Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true." Then he said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life."

John 13:31-35

At the last supper, when Judas had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Blog Reflection

In Psalm 86: 11 the Psalmist writes: Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; knit my heart to you that I may honor your name.

I think Peter experienced being taught the way of God in his vision on the roof top.  He had been taught that those outside of the acceptance of his Faith tradition were unclean.  They were to be avoided, dismissed and left to fend for themselves. The revelation of God's Self in Jesus Christ changed not only the world in terms of a relationship with God, but also our understanding of God's relationship with all humankind.  The more distance we create between ourselves and others who are different from ourselves, the greater distance our relationship with God becomes. We may have great moments of mystical experiences and growth in grace.  Those experiences however, are not to make us into our own personal isolation ward with God.  The Holy Spirit constantly moves on us, to expand our hearts to make them places for a greater love for God, neighbor and self.

When Peter put aside his biases, he was then enabled to do the Apostolic work of baptizing Cornelius and all his household.  Yet, those around him had not yet received the good news that was contained in Peter's vision.  The opportunity brought by the biased, yet questioning people, became a teaching moment through which the walls that separate people from each other could break down and unite communities together.

Racism, heterosexism, sexism, religious based violence and oppression divide communities.   The conspiracy theories circulating about the Muslim religion since the Boston Marathon bombing, are the result of a deadly social disease running wild.  They fuel cruel rhetoric and behavior.  Whole families and communities are stigmatized.  They do not reflect Christians saved by the death and resurrection of Christ being soldiers of the Lord in the new century crusade.  They represent an ignorance driven by fear, breeding hate that becomes horrible violence.  It is never the will of God.  It must be responded to with the proclamation of Jesus Christ and Him crucified to end all scapegoating and negative stereotyping.  The Paschal Mystery is our reason to love and make peace with all people.  A peace that welcomes all people, lets go of suspicions and is open to creating community with every person.   It involves a resolve to respond in obedience out of love and self-sacrifice.  Not get all the immigrants out so that we can live with our insecurities without question.

Psalm 148 is an inclusive song of praise.  All creatures and peoples with all their diverse ways of raising a hymn of thanksgiving and rejoicing sing Hallelujah to God who does great wonders in all the earth.    As we grow beyond our comfort zones, the earth gives honor and praise to God joined with the mystical community of creation.  God defends us from the enemies that would divide us from within, through foreign attitudes that keep us from accepting each other in hospitality and reconciliation.

Jesus at the Last Supper scene in today's Gospel, prepares the disciples for his impending death.  We have walked back a bit from the empty tomb, back to Maundy Thursday. We are returned there to remember what Jesus taught us as our responsibility to Him as followers.  Our response to the Paschal Mystery needs to be one by which we keep in mind what Christ taught us by Word and example.  That is why I chose the image of Christ washing feet as the visual for this Gospel reading.  Christ taught us the new commandment to love one another as He has loved us. 

It is easy, much too easy to look upon such love as a passive romantic.  After all, who doesn't like those wonderful warm fuzzy feelings that come with loving someone who loves us in return.  However, this love is not about feelings.  It is not even about receiving back what we give.  It is about a sacrificial love that does not just look and decide to walk away or avoid.  It is a love that gives of the whole of one's heart for the good of the other person.  Whether that person is the same as we are, or not.

To hear and respond to the commandment to love one another as Christ loves is about abandoning our comfort zones, our agenda's, our prejudices and make space for God in one another.   This is the most difficult love for all of us. We just don't like giving up our pride. We want to guard our labels and defend our personal accomplishments. We earned our own keep.  Why share with others who have not worked for it the way I have?   Does anyone hear in these attitudes that are within all of us at one time or another, the resentment, jealousy and competitiveness of the Elder Son in the Prodigal Son?  Go back and read Luke 15: 11-32.   There the Father watched from his window for his lost son to return. As the lost son returned, the Father ran to embrace him and give him a feast, killing the fatted calf.  The Elder Son just could not rejoice without feeling resentment and jealousy. The Father's response demonstrates the meaning of today's Gospel when we just says to the Eldest Son: "You are with me.  Everything I have is yours."

Everything that God has in marriage for straight couples is also God's to give to same-sex couples.   The banquet of God's Goodness and abundance to love unconditionally with hospitality and reconciliation belongs as much to LGBT people as it does to those who are not.  The holy institution of marriage is not threatened, changed or in any way diminished because LGBT people and couples get to share in the opportunities and responsibilities that come with loving, committed relationships.   As we saw Rhode Island, France and Delaware take up the work to grant the freedom to marry to same-sex couples, the joy of God becomes evident as God's love becomes visible in inclusive communities.  The commandment to love one another as Christ loves us becomes personified as straight couples who have shared in all the benefits of marriage, children, families and responsibilities can now be shared by LGBT people.

The commandment to love as Christ loves is a love without distinctions, but calls for a love from the whole of a person to the whole and common good of another.  Even if it means letting go of ourselves for the good of another.

The Easter that we are now living in this Season, is one by which we remember that all of the bonds that hold us down and keeps us from realizing God's love for all people, become broken and rolled away.  In the resurrection we can now rise up and walk.  We can see in the Light of God's revelation of Self in Christ.

How are we going to love without distinction, with the whole heart this week?

Prayers

Almighty god, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant
us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way,
the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his
steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ
your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity
of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Collect for Fifth Sunday of Easter, Book of Common Prayer, p.225).


O Lord my God. Teach my heart this day where and how to see you, where and how to find you. You have made me and remade me, and you have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, and still I do not know you. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek you, for I cannot seek you unless you show yourself to me. Let me seek you in my desire, let me desire you in my seeking. Let me find you by loving you, let me love you when I find you. Amen. (Prayer of St. Anselm of Canterbury, St. Benedict's Prayer Book., p.118).

Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so
move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the
people of this land], that barriers which divide us may
crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our
divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, p.823).

Fourth Sunday in Easter: O Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Lead Us Out of the Violence

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 9: 36-43 (NRSV)

Now 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. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since 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." So 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. Peter 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. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner. 

Psalm 23 (BCP., 612)

Revelation 7: 9-17 (NRSV)

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying,
"Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!"
And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, singing,

"Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom

and thanksgiving and honor

and power and might

be to our God forever and ever! Amen."

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?" I said to him, "Sir, you are the one that knows." Then he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

For this reason they are before the throne of God,

and worship him day and night within his temple,

and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.

They will hunger no more, and thirst no more;

the sun will not strike them,

nor any scorching heat;

for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,

and he will guide them to springs of the water of life,

and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

John 10: 22-30 (NRSV)

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."

Blog Reflection

I think all of us wish we could just rewind this past week and forget all that happened.  The terrible bombing at the Boston Marathon, the catastrophic explosion in Texas, the tragic shooting of the young security officer at MIT and the manhunt on Friday with the national media attention. This past week is one of horrific violence and images forever stuck in our minds.  Runners and spectators with lost limbs and lives from the Boston Marathon and a twenty seven hour lock down.

The incidents by themselves are scary enough.  Yet, those who insist on using these events to further perpetuate the violence by exploiting racial and religious discrimination and conspiracy theories that "sexual liberalism" brought it all about, makes them that much more horrible.  Have Christians learned anything from the Paschal Mystery?  Are we forever linked to the immaturity behind a belief that God causes violence and horror based on humankind's sinfulness, so as to scare us into believing in an angry God of objective judgment only?

Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lead us out of the violence.

In Acts we read about Peter's faith resuscitating the dead body of Tabitha.  The Holy Spirit's witness to the death and resurrection of Christ, empowers those with the faith to believe do amazing things.  Yet, what is equally important is what Tabitha does out of thanksgiving for the gift of faith given to her.  She has taken seriously the words of Jesus in Matthew 25: 31-46.  She becomes the embodiment of Christ to others.  While Peter's ministry of preaching, teaching and healing continues to win souls into the early Church, Tabitha does the same by living into the meaning of the Gospel in her life.  So, not even sickness and death are able to permanently claim her life. The Paschal Mystery by which she lives and works, becomes the power that resuscitates her body with new life in the witness of the resurrection, to renew life in the world around her. 

If the work of Peter and Tabitha is about healing and reconciliation, so then should ours.   A healing and reconciliation that does not spread conspiracy theories or racial and religious based prejudice. On the contrary, by those who have truly experienced the redeeming and transforming power of the Paschal Mystery, should result in a renewed reverence for the dignity of all human beings.  Especially in the shadows of all that we witnessed this past week. 

This past week, we witnessed the meaning of the Cross as EMT's, national guards, police, fire fighters, and spectators of the Boston Marathon laid down their lives to help those who tragically lost their lives or limbs.  Even in the midst of the raging blasts of fire, flying debris and danger, so many risked all to  help others, even if it meant losing their own lives or comforts to do so.   A 26 year old Sean Collier, a man born to be a police officer, became the embodiment of John 15: 12 and 13.  "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.  No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends."

Our worship of the Lamb in Revelation and prayer of thanksgiving in Psalm 23 need to pierce our hearts that are weighed down with sorrow and grief by this weeks events.  The Lord who is our shepherd leads us not into more violence, but to those green pastures where we can find rest for our weary souls.  In the company of all who enjoy the table of the Banquet of the Eucharist, we gather with all who have shed their blood for faith and justice, to worship the Lamb that was slain.   The Lamb who is Christ.  Christ who draws all people to Himself, because He has been lifted up to glorify God in all of heaven and earth.  (See John 12: 27-36). 

Our Gospels from this Sunday until the Seventh Sunday of Easter are no longer recording for us appearances of the Risen Christ.  We are brought to those stories in John beginning with Good Shepherd Sunday today, and through the discourses in St. John's Gospel.   These Gospel narratives present us with a necessity to be very careful, not to be taken back to Christianity as "the religion" that supercedes all others.  That is not what is happening here.  Nor is it an appropriate interpretation.  The messages contained here are to lead those of us into a deeper reflection of who the Crucified and Risen Christ is to us, and how we represent Him to others.   If we really regard ourselves among those  whom cannot be snatched out of the hands of Christ, then we have to be very careful about what Shepherd we are listening and responding to.   If the shepherd is one that guides us towards a spiritual isolation where Jewish people, Muslims, Atheists and those of other religions and spiritual practices are negatively stereotyped and targeted, then I don't think we are listening to the voice of Jesus, the Risen Shepherd.   If we are listening to those wolves, masked as shepherds suggesting that all the violence witnessed this week is because of church communities, States and municipalities passing marriage equality laws for LGBT Couples, individuals and families, it appears we have been snatched away from Christ, the Good Shepherd.

O Jesus, the Good Shepherd, lead us out of the violence.

Lead us away from the violence of rhetoric designed to marginalize those already stigmatized and oppressed by social, religious and political discrimination.   Lead us, O Good Shepherd away from resorting to violence because of someone who is different from ourselves. Instead let us with you, embrace the immigrant, the one seeking refuge from repression, poverty and nationalized income inequality.  Help us, O Jesus, to respond to our neighbors in charity, respect and recognition of your Divine presence in them. May we stop trying to be our own masters, and surrender to be your followers, so that we may be learn to not be afraid of the storms that cause us to sink, but to have faith to recognize you as the one who can guide us through the worst wind, fog and fire. 

May we walk by faith, and not by sight to comfort by our prayers, love and support those who have experienced the effects of this weeks violence.  May we look beyond skin color, ethnic background, religion, sexual orientation and/or gender identity/expression, gender, physical/emotional or developmental challenge, wealth status, political party, and more, to see the face of Christ the Good Shepherd, and trust in Him to lead us forward.  

As the horrible rhetoric, stereotyping and conspiracy theorists spread the lies and stories, may we stand behind Jesus Christ, who is the way, truth and life, so that through His Father, we may be lead to the way of life that is eternal and transforming.   The life of grace, where we take seriously our Baptismal Vows, and with God's help, we will live into them.  

Though God does not stop all violence, God does walk through it with us in the Person of Jesus Christ, the Risen Shepherd.  God empowers us by the Holy Spirit to be agents of Gospel conversion in our times, through the work of Christ in our lives and those of others around us. 

Amen.

Prayers

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people;
Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who
calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with
you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Fourth Sunday in Easter, Book of Common Prayer, p.225).

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the
earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those
who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people
everywhere may seek after you and find you, bring the nations
into your fold, pour out your Spirit upon all flesh, and hasten
the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever. Amen.  (Collect for the Mission of the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p.257).

Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.  (Prayer Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi, Book of Common Prayer., p.833)

O Lord my God. Teach my heart this day where and how to see you, where and how to find you. You have made me and remade me, and you have bestowed on me all the good things I possess, and still I do not know you. I have not yet done that for which I was made. Teach me to seek you, for I cannot seek you unless you show yourself to me. Let me seek you in my desire, let me desire you in my seeking. Let me find you by loving you, let me love you when I find you. Amen. (Prayer of St. Anselm of Canterbury, St. Benedict's Prayer Book., p.118).

Third Sunday of Easter: Do We Love the Risen Christ in Others?

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 9:1-20 (NRSV)

Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" He asked, "Who are you, Lord?" The reply came, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do." The men who were traveling with him stood speechless because they heard the voice but saw no one. Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord." The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. At this moment he is praying, and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints in Jerusalem; and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who invoke your name." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is an instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before Gentiles and kings and before the people of Israel; I myself will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name." So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said,

"Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."

Psalm 30 (BCP., p.621)


Revelation 5: 11-14 (NRSV)

I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice,

"Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honor and glory and blessing!"

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing,

"To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb

be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!"

And the four living creatures said, "Amen!" And the elders fell down and worshiped.

John 21: 1-19 (NRSV)

Jesus showed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias; and he showed himself in this way. Gathered there together were Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples. Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We will go with you." They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, "Children, you have no fish, have you?" They answered him, "No." He said to them, "Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

When they had gone ashore, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish on it, and bread. Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish that you have just caught." So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, a hundred fifty-three of them; and though there were so many, the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." Now none of the disciples dared to ask him, "Who are you?" because they knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus appeared to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my lambs."

A second time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" He said to him, "Yes, Lord; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Tend my sheep." He said to him the third time, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, "Do you love me?" And he said to him, "Lord, you know everything; you know that I love you." Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep. Very truly, I tell you, when you were younger, you used to fasten your own belt and to go wherever you wished. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will fasten a belt around you and take you where you do not wish to go." (He said this to indicate the kind of death by which he would glorify God.) After this he said to him, "Follow me." 

Blog Reflection

It must have been quite shocking for Ananias to be given the assignment of restoring sight to Saul.  We read in the account from Acts of how Jesus called him to lay hands on the soon to arrive Saul and give him back his sight.  Ananias hesitates based on what he had heard and known.  Yet, Jesus calls him to the task, that would be the beginning of Saul's new life in Christ.  Because for the first time, Saul would see anew with his physical eyes, and with the eyes of faith the Crucified and Risen Christ as he was baptized by Peter and taught by the Apostles to prepare him for the ministry to the Gentiles.  

Ananias experienced what all of us do at some point.  When we have heard something about someone else and then are called to confront her/him with an act of hospitality and kindness, we respond in fear.   The problem is that when we respond to God's call with the fear of the past, we become deaf to God's work in the here and now.  In Christ, God challenges us to let go of our blindness to God's presence and work in others around us.  Even those we may have some stereotypical thought about.   Especially those who have been blinded by ignorance, prejudice and a refusal to grow past their common held notions.  Yet, God empowers us for the ministry of giving sight to anyone who comes to a new understanding of God in Christ, and to invite them into the Household of God, to pray and work with them in the work of reconciliation and healing.

As we turn our attention to the Gospel of John, there are some problems with the text that we have to confront. 

It is really odd that the resurrection story in John 21 is so disconnected from what happened in last weeks narrative in John 20.   John 21 seems to come from the point of view that John 20 did not actually happen.  What in the world is going on?

We must keep in mind that the Gospel according to John was most likely not written by the Apostle and Evangelist himself.  Though there are indications that what is written could have come from John, the various twists and turns in the Gospel suggest that it was probably compiled by more than one person.   It is very possible that it could have been a small committee of people who just couldn't agree on what belonged in it. So they all got a little piece of what they wanted in there to satisfy everyone.  There are plenty of  good commentaries out there, but they are just that.  Commentaries, opinions.  Some more educated than others.  Also, the argument to let the Scriptures stand on their own and the Holy Spirit take care of it, doesn't work either.   Christians have been interpreting the Holy Spirit for centuries.   Look where that has gotten us?   Antisemitism, homophobia, sexism, racism, religious supercessionism, you name it.   No thank you.

Instead, let's pay attention to what the Holy Spirit is saying through the accredited scholarship of those who know a lot more than we do.

This Gospel reading though has some things in it that are very familiar.  The sea near Galilee as was said in Luke 5 when Jesus called Peter and the other disciples to be fishers of people.  Is it possible that this was something extra from Luke that just got thrown in?  Anything is possible.

What is written there has a lot to say.  Some important things we need to consider.  Many of them come from a terrific Biblical Commentary (opinion I know) blog called Progressive Involvement. 

First, each of the Apostles named are those who have had some problem with their relationship and/or faith in Jesus.  So, we begin not with those who were said to be strong and courageous, but those who have had issues that remain unresolved. God often comes to us in the midst of our confusion and unresolved issues, to bring us some kind of truth that we may not have looked at before.  Jesus will knock as long as it takes.  But, He fully intends to get our attention.   The question is, are we listening and watching for Him?

Second, the Apostles in this narrative have kind of broken away from the group and gone back to what they were doing before. The Jesus thing did not quite work out the way they wanted.  So, they go back to fishing all night.  And as they return to what they were doing before they were called by Jesus, so they are unable to make progress in their lives. They are in darkness and disbelief.  So, they spend the night on the old boring, but familiar things. They don't require a lot of energy, but they are willing to spend what they have on that which does not bring them results. They are kind of like those who attended the Great Vigil of Easter, and well, all the excitement is over.  Lent is done. Let's go back to no longer paying attention.  Let's go back to living in the dark about what the Christian life is really about. After all, it was only a Sunday. We don't live Easter. We just celebrate it, and well, it's all over.

As the darkness gives way to the "dawn from on high that breaks upon us" (Luke 1:78) Jesus comes and tells them to throw the net on the other side.  That's when they catch so much fish, that they are lucky that the nets did not break.  Still, they did not recognize Jesus.  You mean, they did not recognize Jesus from the last time they caught all those fish?  Sometimes, it takes another knock of reality from God, before we get our act together.  Are we listening for the knock?  Or have we rolled the stone back over th entrance to the tomb.  Who wants to be reminded of what the Risen Christ might call us to do?

When they realize that it is Jesus that calls them from the sea shore, we see Peter jump in to the river to cleanse himself and swim towards Jesus.  When the disciples meet up with Jesus, they share a meal by breaking bread and sharing in the fish they caught.  This scene is very familiar to the story in Luke 24: 13-35.  It is in the sharing of a meal in thanksgiving to God that they come together to listen and learn from Jesus.  

Do we see our Baptism as the cleansing power of the Holy Spirit so that we are part of the Household of God, with a responsibility towards others?  

Do we come to the Eucharist to listen to and learn from Jesus as we share in God's Goodness through the Body and Blood of Christ, to share God's Presence with the world around us?

The last part of this Gospel has some very important points to be made.  The following is take from Progressive Involvement.

Jesus addresses Peter directly.  Three times Jesus asks Peter if he loves him.  In the first two instances, Jesus uses the word agapas--unconditional love.  In the last query, Jesus uses the word phileis--brotherly love.  Each time, Peter responds that he does love Jesus, but with a phileis love, not an agape one.  In other words, Peter's "love" is not at the same level as the "love" in Jesus' question. 

This seemed to be one of the Beloved Disciple's main points of dispute with Peter:  Peter doesn't love Jesus enough.  Indeed, the first question Jesus asked--"Do you love me more than these?"--would indicate that Peter may love "these," the disciples or perhaps the implements of his fishing craft, more than he loves Jesus. 

Secondly, each time Peter responds, "Yes Lord, you know that I love you," the word the fourth gospel uses for "know" here is oida.  This is knowledge at the "every day" level, the knowledge based on direct experience and intellectual discernment.  In the last exchange, Peter says again, "Lord, you know--oida--all things."  Then, however, Peter shifts to ginosko for "know":  "You know--ginosko, interior, mystical, "spiritual knowing"--that I love you." 

Ginosko is the kind of "knowing" that really counts in the fourth gospel.  Peter finally gets the "knowing" right--(as an addendum on the third try)--but he still doesn't get the love right.  Jesus finally gives in a bit, again on the third try, by reducing the love from agape to phileis perhaps in the hope that Peter can finally identify with him at least at that level.

Jesus' instructions to Peter follow this pattern:  feed my lambs, tend my sheep, feed my sheep.  Wes Howard-Brook:  "The alternation between lambs and sheep also brings to mind the dual role of the disciples.  They are both like Jesus, the Lamb of God, who will be sacrificed for the sake of the people, but are also those who follow, like the sheep Jesus leads (p. 478)."

The last time Peter was at a charcoal fire, he was there with "the slaves and the police" (18: 18) at which he denied three times that he was a follower of Jesus.  At this post-resurrection charcoal fire, he is with Jesus and the disciples, but still doesn't quite get that the center of discipleship is unconditional and intimate love of Jesus.  Nevertheless, in spite of Peter's disappointing performance in this dialog, Jesus calls him to the central task of discipleship which is tending and caring for the sheep. 

After the three-fold question of love, Jesus issues an "amen, amen" saying, an indication of special importance.  In the fourth gospel, Jesus willingly goes to the cross (10: 18).  Here, Jesus says that, while Peter will indeed die for the faith, he will do so unwillingly.  Peter is being taken where he does not wish to go.

Are we willing to seek God's help to love one another with the sense that each person is our sister and brother?  Can we love them with phileis (brotherly love) so that they can be drawn closer to God's (agape) love?   Can we understand that being a Christian is about living in community with others? 

Francine Wheeler, a mom with her husband, who lost their son, Ben in the tragic shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, four months ago today, gave President Obama's Saturday weekly radio address yesterday.  She along with the parents and families of those who tragically lost their lives that horrible day, have become agents for change in the midst of their grief.  They lost their babies and family members through unspeakable violence.  But, they are not willing to let their gripping grief stop them from helping others.  Including helping members of Congress understand how out of control gun violence is destroying our communities. That's the power of the resurrection coming alive in those who are wounded beyond description, bearing witness to the hope of new life in the world around us.  They are willing to see beyond themselves and do what they can to wake people up, and to care about others more than they do about themselves. 

Today, the Risen Christ asks us with Peter, do you love (phileis) me?  

How are we responding to His question?

Amen.

Prayers

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Collect for the Third Sunday in Easter, Book of Common Prayer, p.224).

O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us
through Jesus your Son: Look with compassion on the whole
human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which
infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us;
unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and
confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in
your good time, all nations and races may serve you in
harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for the Human Family, Book of Common Prayer, p. 815).

Almighty God, kindle, we pray, in every heart the true love of
peace, and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel
for the nations of the earth, that in tranquillity your dominion
may increase until the earth is filled with the knowledge of your
love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen. (Prayer for Peace, Book of Common Prayer, p.246),

Second Sunday of Easter: From Doubt to Healing in Faith, Hospitality and Reconciliation

Today's Scripture Readings

Acts 5:27-32 (NRSV)

When the temple police had brought the apostles, they had them stand before the council. The high priest questioned them, saying, "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man's blood on us." But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior that he might give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him."

Psalm 118 (BCP., p. 761)


Revelation 1:4-8 (NRSV)

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Look! He is coming with the clouds; every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and on his account all the tribes of the earth will wail. So it is to be. Amen. "I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.

John 20:19-31 (NRSV)

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Blog Reflection

The Apostles in Acts find themselves being questioned by the council about their activities.  They had apparently not accepted the authorities request that they stop speaking in the Name of the Risen Christ.  Their words have brought happiness to those who have received the message of salvation joyfully.   As for those who were not so impressed, they are becoming a nuisance. The work of the Apostles is to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.  St. Luke as the author of Acts, quotes from Deuteronomy 21: 22 in which Jesus was "hung on a tree."  Peter appropriately states that he and the other Apostles are witnesses to Jesus' death and resurrection as is the Holy Spirit who has given them God's work to accomplish.   

I think among the things we can take from the reading from Acts is that the work of the Gospel is the occupation of all who believe in the Name of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified and risen from the dead.   Though society and even the Church may become disillusioned about how the Gospel is proclaimed, it is the work of those of us who have witnessed the power of the Paschal Mystery in our Baptism, Holy Communion and our every day lives.  The Easter Mystery that we have been celebrating these past eight days, and for the next forty-two becomes visible as we become the Risen Christ for others.   The power of the Resurrection gains even more ground when we take the time and opportunity to recognize the Risen Christ in each other.  Especially, but not limited to, those who are different from ourselves. 

Among the many reasons why the Christian Faith suffers so badly, is because of how Christians have limited the Gospel to our circles of privileged persons.  As Christianity spread and became part of the European culture, and eventually the culture of the America's, many other religions, cultures and races became subjected to oppression and violence. Violence in the Name of Christ, is zeal that has been directed by error, not truth or conviction. When conviction becomes an excuse for a lack of basic Christian Charity, the message behind the conviction becomes a weapon of mass destruction.  Not a ministry of evangelization and conversion.  As a result, the Easter event of the Resurrection becomes a fairy tale to those who are not privileged.  Not the message of salvation for the whole world.

As we turn from Acts to the reading from St. John's Gospel, we see that Jesus had a tremendous amount of compassion.  Especially for those who ran while He was crucified on Good Friday.  The Resurrected Jesus appears to the Apostles, those cowardly men and said "Peace be with you."  Jesus' message sounds very much like the Father receiving the Prodigal Son from the parable in Luke 15: 11b-32.  Jesus, who is God's perfect Revelation of Self, comes and greets those men with peace and the breath of the Holy Spirit, so that they can do the work of forgiveness and reconciliation on His behalf.  

I am ever so glad that over the years there has been a progression away from seeing St. Thomas' disbelief as making him weak.  The "doubting Thomas" idea has been adopted by many who feel that unless they see it in its physical reality, they just cannot believe.  To totally condemn this idea, is to flip the bird in total ignorance to what Jesus does with Thomas' situation.  Thomas' doubt opens the door for faith, that becomes the greatest of proclamations.  "My Lord, My God" says Thomas.  Thomas' faith is strengthened not by the fact that he originally doubted, but that Jesus met his doubt, and Thomas grew in faith and trust in God's work of redemption in Jesus Christ.  Jesus then completes his work by saying in the words of the Common English Bible: "No more doubting. Believe!"  Jesus tells Thomas and us to learn from this example and to put our trust in Him to lead us to a closer relationship with God and one another.  Jesus accomplishes this by God's ministry of hospitality and reconciliation with those who are afraid, weak, and becoming their every reason to find their strength in the joy of the Lord.

Every one of us finds our faith in the Risen Christ shaken from time to time.  We see Christians continuing to use the religion as a means for power, domination and the spreading of hate, wealth and prestige.  In today's Gospel, Jesus turns the weakness of faith in the Apostles into a moment of spreading peace, joy and hope.  The Church needs to continue that work in today's world.  We must not cling to doctrine only at the expense of lively faith, Charity, service and mission.  We ought to be inspired to be open to being servants to everyone, without exception out of thanksgiving to God for all God has accomplished on our behalf.  We must bring hope to women who continue to be marginalized and victimized by a male privileged society. We must end the religious based bigotry towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and queer people.  There is a whole mission field that we can all participate in by calling for the end of injustices such as: President Obama's chained CPI cuts to Social Security, the sequester that is reeking havoc on the lives of cancer patients nation wide, and the abuses of the oil industry.  

St. Anselm of Canterbury once wrote: “For I do not seek to understand in order that I may believe, but I believe in order to understand. For this also I believe-that unless I believe I shall not understand.”

If we are to demonstrate belief in the Resurrection, so that we and others may understand what Easter means, then we need to be willing to live as Easter Christians.   Thomas like so many of us, need the community of others around us to point us to the Risen Christ in the world.  The community of society and the Church needs all of us who believe, to do the same.   

May the song of Easter with Alleluia's ringing out like there is no tomorrow, be our trumpet call to live the Resurrection story in our lives.

Amen.

Prayers

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery
established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all
who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body
may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (Collect for the Second Sunday in Easter, Book of Common Prayer, p.224).

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior,
the Prince of Peace: Give us grace seriously to lay to heart the
great dangers we are in by our unhappy divisions; take away
all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us
from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one Body
and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith,
one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may be all
of one heart and of one soul, united in one holy bond of truth
and peace, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and
one mouth glorify thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.  (Prayer for the Mission of the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p.818).


Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so
move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the
people of this land], that barriers which divide us may
crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our
divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, p.823).