Lectionary Preview study materials: 11 April 2021, second sunday in Easter
Acts 4:32-35
1 John 1:1-2:2
John 20:19-31
Psalm 133
The 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.
The First Lesson
Acts 4:32-35
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.
The Response
Psalm 133
Ecce, quam bonum!
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.
The Epistle
1 John 1:1-2:2
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.
The Gospel
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.” 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.
ECUSA COMMENTARY
Easter 2 (B) April 11, 2021 Rita Carson Kendagor
RCL: Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133; 1 John 1:1-2:2; John 20:19-31
Acts 4:32-35
Several years ago, I was in a church where the preacher decided to conduct an experiment. He told the congregation that he was taking up an offering for those who needed it. And with no other explanation, the offering plates were passed, and people gave. After asking people to raise their hands if they knew of a single parent who had a need, he then had ushers count the money and divide it up into envelopes. Those who raised their hands were asked to come up to the front, pick up an envelope, and were told to give it to whomever in the church they had determined had a need. The people were encouraged to give the envelope to the recipient in private. This is what is happening in our scripture lesson, and we see the practicality of the Gospel in action: The believers in this assembly were in agreement. They agreed to share their possessions – and there was not a needy person among them.
The people of this assembly were no doubt impacted by the unselfish acts they experienced or witnessed, just like those of us in the church I spoke of earlier. On that Sunday, I was one of the recipients of an envelope. I remember someone coming up to my car window, she smiled and said, “Here Rita, this is yours,” as she handed me the envelope. I was stunned because I was not expecting this. But someone did see this widow with young children and saw that I had needs. I have never forgotten that experience because I saw the Gospel in action.
- If you are part of an assembly, in what ways are you of “one heart and soul” with the other believers?
- What are some practical ways we can share our possessions with others?
Psalm 133
This is a psalm, though short, that is full of symbolism. A psalm of national unity, it alludes to Jerusalem once again being the location of the Temple of God, along with the lineage of the Aaronic priesthood. The picture of oil being poured over Aaron’s head, running down his beard and vestments provides a glimpse of the anointing of God’s chosen priest. Anointing oils were combined and produced with great care. Considered to be very precious, only the purest forms of aromatic perfumes were used for such oils.
Mt. Hermon was known to produce copious amounts of dew, such that the surrounding drier lands depended on this moisture. The Temple Mount in Jerusalem would have depended on this refreshing dew, especially during the drier summer months.
Between the symbolism of the combined precious oils, unification of kindred folks, and a flourishing Jerusalem, the psalmist has painted a picture of a reunified family that is thriving, nourished, and beckoning.
- What does your prayer for national unity sound like today?
- If you have experienced a family reunion, how did it feel to see relatives whom you had not seen for many years? In what ways did this reunification strengthen family bonds?
1 John 1-2:2
Since 1 John does not begin the same way other epistles do, with a definite salutation and location, scholars believe it could have been a sermon instead of a letter. From the start, the writer lays the groundwork, showing they had been with Jesus, had seen and touched Jesus. It was important that the hearers grasped that what they were hearing was not second-hand knowledge.
We are presented with a paradox. The writer weaves in and out of God being light and not darkness. We are reminded that being in Christ means not living in darkness but in light. We are told that if we say we have no sin, we would be lying; and that if we do sin, we are living in darkness. But there is good news! We are not left unprotected, because Jesus is our advocate and will cleanse us from all sin.
- When you hear a story, do you consider it more reliable if you hear it from someone who was actually there, as opposed to hearing it second- or third-hand?
- How does it feel hearing that you are going to sin, and when you sin, Jesus has your back? Do you feel exposed, or do you feel protected?
John 20:19-31
It is often said that Thomas has been given a bad rap. For many centuries now, the apostle Thomas has been known as “Doubting Thomas.” But Thomas was not present when Jesus appeared to the other apostles. And, just like Thomas later, they didn’t know who Jesus was until he showed them his wounded hands and sides. A week later, when Jesus appeared again, Thomas only needed to see what Jesus had already shown the other apostles. Jesus showed his wounds to Thomas. And Jesus allowed him to touch his wounds. That is when Thomas believed. Yet Jesus does not tell Thomas he was wrong, though he did remind Thomas not to doubt but believe.
Jesus also reminded Thomas how blessed are those who believe after merely hearing. We do not have the opportunity to investigate Jesus’ wounds. We have only read and heard that he is alive, and yet we still believe.
- Do you think Thomas deserves the nickname “Doubting Thomas”? Why or why not?
- Was there ever a time when you doubted that the Lord was present?
Rita Carson Kendagor was born and raised in Kansas City, Kan., and has lived in several regions of the U.S., as well as in Kenya. Currently living in Lenexa, Kan., she works as a clinical social worker. She is a student at the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry, working toward ordination as an Episcopal priest. She is a certified spiritual director and has a growing passion for learning more about the contemplative lifestyle and meditative practices. She hopes to be trained in teaching meditation. She is widowed and a single parent of two young adult children.