Today's Scripture Readings
Psalm 133 (BCP,. p. 787)
1 John 1:1-2:2 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
100 years ago today at 2:20am on April 15, 1912, the R.M.S. Titanic sank to the bottom of the North Atlantic killing 1494 people. It was believed to be the largest moving object ever made in all history up to that point in time. The ship was believed to be "unsinkable." Just one hour and forty minutes give or take a few before sinking, the Titanic hit an ice berg. It is said that from the moment it hit and it's lower compartments were punctured, Titanic took on 7 gallons of ice cold ocean water per second. After the "unsinkable ship" sank, those who were left in the freezing Atlantic brutally died of hypothermia. Only six people were saved by one of the twenty boats that came back to see if anyone was still alive.
I have been somewhat obsessed with the Titanic ever since I watched the movie made by James Cameron in 1997. As part of our remembrance of this history tragedy, Jason and I watched Titanic in 3-D last night. Every time I see the movie, from the moment Titanic hits the ice berg to the moment Jack Dawson dies in the frigid water, while Rose lays on a floating piece of the now sunken ship, I walk away from it reflecting on some powerful spiritual and moral meditations from Titanic. Among them is the imagery of a very wealthy, selfish and abusive individual who is willing to risk his life to control a woman who does not love him, and the diamond he bought her, who won't even allow a nearly drowning man on board the life boat he is in, because he will swamp the boat and possibly kill him. On the other hand, we have a poor man,with barely $10 in his pocket. He doesn't even have a home to call his own. He and his friend Fabrizio risk every thing to save not only themselves, but others around them. As I watch this particular part of the block buster, I remember the words of Jesus: "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13).
Another story that also moves me to some amazing reflections is today's Gospel of the Risen Jesus and the encounter with the Apostles, in particular Thomas. Jesus breathed on them the gift of God's Spirit and gave them the ministry of reconciliation. Thomas was not there to be part of it. When the other disciples told Thomas, he would not believe what they told him, until he put his hands into the nail prints and into the side of the Risen Christ. Thomas was simply wanting proof of the story he was told. When Jesus appears to all of them with Thomas present one week later, he simply invites Thomas to come forward and confirm what he was told. Jesus doesn't scold or shame Thomas. Jesus gives Thomas what he asked for. The opportunity to grow in his faith and witness for himself the power and mercy of the Risen Christ. In Thomas' amazement he says; "My Lord, and my God." When Jesus says "blessed are they who have not seen me, but still believe" Jesus is okay with what he did for Thomas. He is also okay for those who will believe in him through the testimony and personal witness of others who come to know Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead.
In this present time, we don't get to see the Risen Jesus appearing before our eyes. We do not have a direct connection to the Apostles of the first and second centuries to tell us how recent those events would have been. We know there was an early Christian Church that was unified, and helped many people according to the reading from Acts. But, we do not have proof in our hands and/or before us, by ourselves. It is only through communities of Faith, where there is true charity and where people worship, live and struggle together that the Risen Christ becomes visible to us. In the Holy Eucharist, Jesus Christ who rose on that first Easter Day, comes to us under the appearance of Bread and Wine, consecrated with the Holy Spirit called down to sanctify them that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ. In the celebration of Holy Communion the words that Jesus spoke in John 15:13 become true as he lives the meaning of what he said in us and one another.
The evidence of the Risen Christ is also made known when we look beyond gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, challenge, language, immigration status, culture, etc and see a face and a name in others who are different from ourselves. The truth of the Real Presence of Christ in Holy Communion bears fruit when Christians work for justice, freedom from oppression, discrimination and violence for the marginalized by the Church and society. When we speak up about the injustice of corporations taking over the government, our courts and our political process and demand that people and the issues that affect our daily lives becomes our first priority, the Risen Christ becomes visible. When we denounce the anti-Semitism towards the Jewish people and recognize them as our elders in the Faith, we become witnesses to the hope of Christ in our time. When we refuse to engage in the violence that targets Muslims, a woman's reproductive health care, and voter suppression out of concern for equality and justice for all people, the Risen Christ with our wounded humanity comes in our midst and calls us to touch him and love him.
To me, the individuals that knew that their end was near on Titanic, but saw to do good for others in spite of it all, demonstrated the power and hope of the Resurrected Jesus. Those who knew that they did not quite measure up to the first class standards, as the ship was sinking and held down, took care of what was in front of them before they died. Such as the mother in bed with her children, telling them the story of the land of eternal youth and beauty. She recognized that this was the end of the road for them all, but she still put her children before herself.
How do we reveal the presence of the Risen Christ in our lives, communities and homes?
Whether we are people who believe, or if we are skeptical and doubt, the Risen Christ comes to us. We are never left alone.
As Easter People, we are called to take care of what we have before us, here and now. This moment is the one in which the grace of the Risen Christ is present, speaking and acting on our behalf. We can trust that he will be there in the next, but only if we tend to the Risen Christ at this point in time.
Prayers
Acts 4:32-35 (NRSV)
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Psalm 133 (BCP,. p. 787)
1 John 1:1-2:2 (NRSV)
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us-- we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
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
100 years ago today at 2:20am on April 15, 1912, the R.M.S. Titanic sank to the bottom of the North Atlantic killing 1494 people. It was believed to be the largest moving object ever made in all history up to that point in time. The ship was believed to be "unsinkable." Just one hour and forty minutes give or take a few before sinking, the Titanic hit an ice berg. It is said that from the moment it hit and it's lower compartments were punctured, Titanic took on 7 gallons of ice cold ocean water per second. After the "unsinkable ship" sank, those who were left in the freezing Atlantic brutally died of hypothermia. Only six people were saved by one of the twenty boats that came back to see if anyone was still alive.
I have been somewhat obsessed with the Titanic ever since I watched the movie made by James Cameron in 1997. As part of our remembrance of this history tragedy, Jason and I watched Titanic in 3-D last night. Every time I see the movie, from the moment Titanic hits the ice berg to the moment Jack Dawson dies in the frigid water, while Rose lays on a floating piece of the now sunken ship, I walk away from it reflecting on some powerful spiritual and moral meditations from Titanic. Among them is the imagery of a very wealthy, selfish and abusive individual who is willing to risk his life to control a woman who does not love him, and the diamond he bought her, who won't even allow a nearly drowning man on board the life boat he is in, because he will swamp the boat and possibly kill him. On the other hand, we have a poor man,with barely $10 in his pocket. He doesn't even have a home to call his own. He and his friend Fabrizio risk every thing to save not only themselves, but others around them. As I watch this particular part of the block buster, I remember the words of Jesus: "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13).
Another story that also moves me to some amazing reflections is today's Gospel of the Risen Jesus and the encounter with the Apostles, in particular Thomas. Jesus breathed on them the gift of God's Spirit and gave them the ministry of reconciliation. Thomas was not there to be part of it. When the other disciples told Thomas, he would not believe what they told him, until he put his hands into the nail prints and into the side of the Risen Christ. Thomas was simply wanting proof of the story he was told. When Jesus appears to all of them with Thomas present one week later, he simply invites Thomas to come forward and confirm what he was told. Jesus doesn't scold or shame Thomas. Jesus gives Thomas what he asked for. The opportunity to grow in his faith and witness for himself the power and mercy of the Risen Christ. In Thomas' amazement he says; "My Lord, and my God." When Jesus says "blessed are they who have not seen me, but still believe" Jesus is okay with what he did for Thomas. He is also okay for those who will believe in him through the testimony and personal witness of others who come to know Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead.
In this present time, we don't get to see the Risen Jesus appearing before our eyes. We do not have a direct connection to the Apostles of the first and second centuries to tell us how recent those events would have been. We know there was an early Christian Church that was unified, and helped many people according to the reading from Acts. But, we do not have proof in our hands and/or before us, by ourselves. It is only through communities of Faith, where there is true charity and where people worship, live and struggle together that the Risen Christ becomes visible to us. In the Holy Eucharist, Jesus Christ who rose on that first Easter Day, comes to us under the appearance of Bread and Wine, consecrated with the Holy Spirit called down to sanctify them that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ. In the celebration of Holy Communion the words that Jesus spoke in John 15:13 become true as he lives the meaning of what he said in us and one another.
The evidence of the Risen Christ is also made known when we look beyond gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, challenge, language, immigration status, culture, etc and see a face and a name in others who are different from ourselves. The truth of the Real Presence of Christ in Holy Communion bears fruit when Christians work for justice, freedom from oppression, discrimination and violence for the marginalized by the Church and society. When we speak up about the injustice of corporations taking over the government, our courts and our political process and demand that people and the issues that affect our daily lives becomes our first priority, the Risen Christ becomes visible. When we denounce the anti-Semitism towards the Jewish people and recognize them as our elders in the Faith, we become witnesses to the hope of Christ in our time. When we refuse to engage in the violence that targets Muslims, a woman's reproductive health care, and voter suppression out of concern for equality and justice for all people, the Risen Christ with our wounded humanity comes in our midst and calls us to touch him and love him.
To me, the individuals that knew that their end was near on Titanic, but saw to do good for others in spite of it all, demonstrated the power and hope of the Resurrected Jesus. Those who knew that they did not quite measure up to the first class standards, as the ship was sinking and held down, took care of what was in front of them before they died. Such as the mother in bed with her children, telling them the story of the land of eternal youth and beauty. She recognized that this was the end of the road for them all, but she still put her children before herself.
How do we reveal the presence of the Risen Christ in our lives, communities and homes?
Whether we are people who believe, or if we are skeptical and doubt, the Risen Christ comes to us. We are never left alone.
As Easter People, we are called to take care of what we have before us, here and now. This moment is the one in which the grace of the Risen Christ is present, speaking and acting on our behalf. We can trust that he will be there in the next, but only if we tend to the Risen Christ at this point in time.
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, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of
the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this
day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week
to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen. (Collect for Sundays, Book of Common Prayer, p. 96).
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).
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