Jesus returns to his disciples and, rather than chastise them for their betrayal and abandonment, offers them peace. Thomas doubts, but Jesus is accepting of him as well, and in that acceptance, Thomas finds his Savior.
1st
Reading: Acts of the Apostles 4:32-35
By tradition we read from the Acts of
the Apostles during Eastertide. Our
first reading is a description of the common life of the first Christian
community. If it seems idyllic, perhaps
it was. At any rate, problems arose
almost right away. By chapter six of Acts, some are feeling neglected and deacons
are appointed to oversee the distribution of goods to those in need. Whether we would subscribe to holding all
things in common, surely the mutual concern for the well-being of all should
remain as a central characteristic of our community of faith. If nothing else, this passage pushes against
our notions of privacy regarding our economic status and the old, non-biblical,
adage that “charity begins at home.”
4:32 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. 33 With great power the apostles gave their
testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them
all. 34 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. 35 They
laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
Psalm 133
1
Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *
when brethren live
together in unity!
2
It is like fine oil upon the head *
that runs down upon the
beard,
3
Upon the beard of Aaron, *
and runs down upon the
collar of his robe.
4
It is like the dew of Hermon *
that falls upon the hills
of Zion.
5
For there the Lord has ordained the blessing: *
life for evermore.
2nd
Reading: 1 John 1:1—2:2
Throughout
Eastertide this year we read from the First Letter of John. The opening of the letter echoes the opening
of John’s Gospel and many of its themes: the word becoming flesh (the
incarnation), light versus darkness, the goal of “complete joy,” and the
commitment to the truth. The end of this
passage is an exhortation to honesty about and confession of our sins. Those who believe they are without sin (and
it appears that there were some in the community to which John is writing that
believed as much about themselves) deceive themselves.
1:1 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—2 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—3 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. 4 We are writing these things so that our joy
may be complete. 5 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. 6 If
we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we
lie and do not do what is true; 7 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. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If
we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and
cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If
we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 2:1 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; 2 and he is the atoning sacrifice for our
sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Gospel
Reading: John 20:19-31
Our Gospel reading
this morning is read every year on this Second Sunday of Easter (the only
instance of a Gospel reading repeating year after year in the entire cycle of
readings). The reading is composed of
two scenes. The first is John’s account
of the first appearance of the risen Jesus to the disciples. For John it is
also the formation of the Church (including the gift of the Holy Spirit). Jesus’
forgiveness of the disciples is extraordinary given their betrayal and
abandonment of him. Moreover, he also gives them the power of forgiveness! The
second scene is the familiar story of Thomas, the disciple missing from the
first appearance. Thomas needs physical proof, for which we can hardly blame him.
The story is partially a set up for the important statement, “Blessed are those
who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Note that by “the Jews” in the
first verse is meant the religious authorities, not all Jews.
20:19 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.” 20 After
he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples
rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus
said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send
you.” 22 When he had said this, he
breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are
forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” 24 But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one
of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25
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.” 26 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.” 27 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.” 28 Thomas answered
him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 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.” 30 Now
Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not
written in this book. 31 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.
The
Scripture quotations (except for the psalm) are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 by the
Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ
in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.
All rights reserved. The Psalm
translation is from The Book of Common
Prayer. Commentaries are copyright ©
2017, Epiphany ESources, 67 E. Main St., Hornell, NY 14843, www.epiphanyesources.com. All
rights reserved. Permission to copy and edit for church services is given,
provided this attribution remains.
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