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. . . As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord . . . Joshua 25:15b
Easter 2 Year B
LeCompte, Rowan and Irene LeCompte. Christ shows himself to Thomas (mosaic, Washington National Cathedral), from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=54879 [retrieved April 1, 2021].
Published date 04032024
Introduction
Introduction
Think about some of your favorite clothes. Maybe a dress of fine material that fits like a glove. Maybe a faded denim jacket that’s a quarter century old. As you think about your favorite, also think about how you would describe it to someone else. It’s highly unlikely that any two of us have the same favorite or the same reason for liking the garment. Now think about the unique nature and fit of your faith. Your faith should be as comfortable as your favorite garment, should fit you like that dress, or feel as comfortable as that denim jacket. Can you share the story of your faith as easily as you can share the story of an article of clothing? What does a life dressed in Christ really look like? Hopefully it isn’t like some one-size-fits-most caftan or rain poncho that doesn’t really fit anyone well. When we are clothed in Christ, we are truly wearing the very best, and we are both alike and unique in how we model and share our Christian identity.
Based on the sermon commentary at SOLI (Stewardship of Life Institute) website.Comments welcome (here)
John 20:19-31
John 20:19-31
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.” . . . 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 . . . was not with them when Jesus came. . . . [and] 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!”
From sermon4kids.com: ' “Jesus said to him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." You and I have never seen Jesus with our own eyes. The question is, will we be one of those who is blessed because we believe, even though we have not seen?'
Scripture: April 14, 2024—Acts 4:32-35 (image); Psalm 133 (image); 1 John 1:1-2:2 (image); and John 20:19-31 (image). Video presentation of scripture.
Collect: 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.
Reflection: Thomas doubted the resurrection until he saw the nail holes and put his finger in the wound of the risen Christ’s hands and side. We, too, have been wounded in this life, and our society often teaches us to hide our wounds and vulnerabilities. What might happen if, like Christ, we invited those shut down by life to explore our wounds?
(excerpted from Feasting on the Word Worship Companion: Liturgies for Year B, Volume 1 © 2014 Westminster John Knox Press)
Symbols of the Church
Symbols of the Church
In Greek, the first letters of the words, "Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior" spell Ichthus, meaning "fish." When the early Christians were persecuted, they used the Ichthus as a secret sign to identify themselves to each other. Today, it is one of the most widely recognized symbols of Christianity.
from "The Symbols of Faith" website.
“Alleluia, alleluia“, an offering from SSSJ’s youth and adult choirs
“If you believe and I believe“, in French, impassioned presentation by Mokumisi Group in Europe
Behold, how good by Clarke-Whitfield
“The incredulity of Thomas” (1603) by Carvaggio
and a remake (2011) by Jaime Vasta — please go compare the two
“Thomas”, 2001, by Corinne Vonaesch
“The illuminated wound“, image and commentary by Jan C. Richardson
“Confessing Thomas” by Mark A Abdelnour
commentary from Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Bible by Andy Doyle
cartoon commentary about Thomas Sunday
“Nothing’s Impossible“, poem by K.C. Leake
“O brother, where art thou?” (2000, PG-13), “zany and hilarious bluegrass version of Homer’s Odyssey”, 3 escaped convicts in search of a treasure, comedic presentation with prayer episodes, baptism in the river scene, Review 1, Review 2
“Galaxy Quest” (1999, PG), The faith of Mathesar and his ship-mates inspires the Galaxy Quest crew to become what they have pretended to be, Review
“The Apostle” (1997, TV-MA), “fall and redemption of a Pentecostal preacher”, an interesting characterization of old-timey preacher, Review
For youth: What does it mean to be a witness? If one is called to court to testify as a witness to a crime, one swears to “tell the whole truth, so help me God.” If one witnesses a monumental sporting event, like a play-off game’s come-from-behind win, one has the sense of truly having been a part of something special. . . . In this week’s gospel lesson Thomas misses Jesus’ first visit to the room where the disciples are hiding, and he says he won’t believe until he can see and even touch Jesus’ wounds. Well, he gets just what he needs, and he does see Jesus and offers a bold and simple confession: “My Lord and my God!” Instead of eyewitnesses, we are called to be heart and faith witnesses. Our belief is a gracious gift, and in believing we have real, abundant life in Christ’s name. We can share the story, but we need to help people come and see so that they can experience faith for themselves. By seeing Christ in us and in our lives, all have the opportunity to come to know the Lord of the Universe.
Excerpted from So It Is website.
Feel free to comment.
Coloring: John 20
On this Sunday of Easter we always have as the central reading the account of Jesus’ appearance to the Apostles on Easter Day and on the following Sunday. In that second appearance, Thomas, who had not been with them the first time, comes to believe in the Lord’s resurrection and acclaims Jesus as Lord and God.
The first reading on every Sunday in Eastertide is from the Acts of the Apostles. This book about the life of the early Church as it lived in the joy of the Lord’s resurrection tells us of the character of the early Christians’ corporate life.
This year the second reading comes from the First Epistle of John. This brief epistle is thought to have been written in the last decade of the first century in the author’s old age. In it he reminds his people of the primary characteristic of our Lord, his self-giving love. Our life in the risen Christ is to live out that love for one another. John reminds us that our salvation came by means of Jesus’ death and our baptism into his death.
Each Sunday of the Great Fifty Days is a time to explore the life we share in Jesus Christ dying and rising, a life which begins for each of us at our baptism and which is renewed in us each time we celebrate the Eucharist.
From The Rite Light: Reflections on the Sunday Readings and Seasons of the Church Year. Copyright © 2007 by Michael W. Merriman. Church Publishing Incorporated, New York.
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