Word for the Week

Sunday, April 8, 2018 Second Sunday of Easter

Introduction

The Easter season is a week of weeks, seven Sundays when we play in the mystery of Christ’s presence, mostly through the glorious Gospel of John. Today we gather with the disciples on the first Easter, and Jesus breathes the Spirit on us. With Thomas we ask for a sign, and Jesus offers us his wounded self in the broken bread. From frightened individuals we are transformed into a community of open doors, peace, forgiveness, and material sharing such that no one among us is in need.

Prayer of the Day

Almighty God, with joy we celebrate the day of our Lord’s resurrection. By the grace of Christ among us, enable us to show the power of the resurrection in all that we say and do, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

First Reading: Acts 4:32-35

While the apostles testified to others about the resurrection of Jesus, the early Christian community shared what they owned or sold their possessions to help their fellow believers who were in need.

Psalm: Psalm 133

How good and pleasant it is to live together in unity. (Ps. 133:1)

Second Reading:  1 John 1:1–2:2

The opening of this letter serves as a reality check. The reality of God is light, but our confessed reality has been sin. God cleanses us from our sinful reality through Christ’s death so that we live in fellowship with Christ and walk in God’s light.

Gospel: John 20:19-31

The story of Easter continues as the risen Lord appears to his disciples. His words to Thomas offer a blessing to all who entrust themselves in faith to the risen Lord.

Theme for the season of Easter

Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Now what?

As we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection throughout the season of Easter, we remember the journey of reflection that we have taken through the forty days of Lent. We remember the promise that Christ died Once for All, and we rejoice in the overwhelming ecstasy of the resurrection and the promise that God has conquered death and sin and raised us all to new life.

God is the one who claims us in the waters of baptism. God is the one who loves us first, inspiring us to love one another and our fellow travelers along life’s pathway. God is the one who promises us peace in the absence of fear, who promises the full measure of joy, who promises to know us and to call us by name.

Through Jesus’ death and resurrection and the gift of the Holy Spirit, God is the one who fulfills these promises and shows us what it means to be Divinely United in Peace and Love.