Today's Scripture Readings
Acts 4:32-35 (NRSV)
Psalm 133 (BCP., p.787)
1 John 1:1-2:2 (NRSV)
John 20:19-31 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
Imagine what a great world we would have if all of us lived like those first Christians in Acts 4:32-35. Everything was truly held in common. Those who had property sold it and gave the proceeds to those who needed it. If such a community in the times in which these events occurred was not all that well received by the power structures then; they certainly are not a draw for popularity now. Every politician and religious based organization would be put to shame. Such is mostly the case now. Is it any wonder why many see the Christian religion as a stage act full of soap box speeches?
A Christian community such as what is described to us in Acts needs witnesses to the redemption of Christ. It also requires those who profess a belief in the Incarnation and Paschal Mysteries to give evidence of what they believe in how they live. How can we give evidence of what we believe those first Apostles saw if we ourselves have not seen Jesus alive after the resurrection?
This is where Thomas comes in. Speaking to the Soul: Touching Faith an article in The Episcopal Cafe says it well.
In a world in which hospitality, reconciliation and healing are less appreciated unless their is a large sum of money is on the other end of achieving it; the experience of those first Apostles and especially Thomas seems like a long shot. On the contrary, the opportunity to witness the power of Christ's resurrection and a faith like that of Thomas is in our neighbor next door, our co-worker, the transgender person just beaten when a guy found out his date has different organs that what she/he appears. The Risen Christ comes and says, "peace be with you" to the communities all around the world wounded by racism, sexism and religious intolerance. Those who are tired of the Christian religion being used as an excuse for this ridiculous argument of "religious liberty" to exempt public services from serving LGBTQ people, Muslims, Jewish people and more; the Risen Christ invites you to come and put your hands in the holes in his hands, feet and side. The Common English Bible for John 20:27b reads that Jesus told Thomas, "No more doubting! Believe!" Such is what the Risen Christ tells us know.
We are able to doubt and find faith, because Thomas was a skeptic. He was not satisfied with just being told that Christ rose, he wanted to see it for himself. He questioned faith, and he found faith. Because of Thomas' courage, we who have not seen the Risen Christ as Thomas did are blessed when we believe without seeing. We are empowered to be witnesses of the Resurrection as we embrace the disenfranchised, the oppressed and those living with injustice; and respect the dignity of every human being.
Thank you Thomas!
Amen.
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
Imagine what a great world we would have if all of us lived like those first Christians in Acts 4:32-35. Everything was truly held in common. Those who had property sold it and gave the proceeds to those who needed it. If such a community in the times in which these events occurred was not all that well received by the power structures then; they certainly are not a draw for popularity now. Every politician and religious based organization would be put to shame. Such is mostly the case now. Is it any wonder why many see the Christian religion as a stage act full of soap box speeches?
A Christian community such as what is described to us in Acts needs witnesses to the redemption of Christ. It also requires those who profess a belief in the Incarnation and Paschal Mysteries to give evidence of what they believe in how they live. How can we give evidence of what we believe those first Apostles saw if we ourselves have not seen Jesus alive after the resurrection?
This is where Thomas comes in. Speaking to the Soul: Touching Faith an article in The Episcopal Cafe says it well.
Lucky Thomas, he literally got hands-on proof to bolster his faith. We will have to wait a little longer for that awesome experience. Until that time, Jesus tells us we are blessed because we believe in what we do not see. But before we congratulate ourselves on a pious achievement, we should understand that our faith is entirely a gift from God. It is his grace infused in us, not a virtue generated by us. Our job is to cooperate with God’s grace… to nurture, protect and share it. That means our faith cannot be rationed, hoarded or hidden. Jesus did not go to the cross so that closet Christians could slink under the radar of an increasingly cynical, secular world.
In a world in which hospitality, reconciliation and healing are less appreciated unless their is a large sum of money is on the other end of achieving it; the experience of those first Apostles and especially Thomas seems like a long shot. On the contrary, the opportunity to witness the power of Christ's resurrection and a faith like that of Thomas is in our neighbor next door, our co-worker, the transgender person just beaten when a guy found out his date has different organs that what she/he appears. The Risen Christ comes and says, "peace be with you" to the communities all around the world wounded by racism, sexism and religious intolerance. Those who are tired of the Christian religion being used as an excuse for this ridiculous argument of "religious liberty" to exempt public services from serving LGBTQ people, Muslims, Jewish people and more; the Risen Christ invites you to come and put your hands in the holes in his hands, feet and side. The Common English Bible for John 20:27b reads that Jesus told Thomas, "No more doubting! Believe!" Such is what the Risen Christ tells us know.
We are able to doubt and find faith, because Thomas was a skeptic. He was not satisfied with just being told that Christ rose, he wanted to see it for himself. He questioned faith, and he found faith. Because of Thomas' courage, we who have not seen the Risen Christ as Thomas did are blessed when we believe without seeing. We are empowered to be witnesses of the Resurrection as we embrace the disenfranchised, the oppressed and those living with injustice; and respect the dignity of every human being.
Thank you Thomas!
Amen.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
The Lord in risen indeed. Alleluia!
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. The 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 Unity of the Church. The Book of Common Prayer, p.818).
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