Scripture Study for
Second Sunday of Easter
Acts 4:32–35 / Psalm 118:1 / 1 John 5:1–6 / John 20:19–31
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Understanding the Word
By Br. John R. Barker, OFM
The reading from Acts highlights two related aspects of the early Christian community. First, we are told that the community was “of one heart and mind,” living precisely as a community holding everything in common, rather than as a collection of individuals. The last sentence returns to this idea, emphasizing that everyone contributed to the common fund; no one among them went without. Between these two notices is the comment that the apostles “bore witness to the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus.” Rather than disrupt the theme of the common life, this statement holds it together, suggesting that the impetus for this new social structure was the new life found in Christ. This itself called for a new way of living among those who would call themselves disciples.
In his First Letter, John explores the mutual relationships between Christ and God, between Christ and believers, and between believers and God, all of which inform each other in a complex “abiding,” one of John’s favorite words (4:13–21). Just before this reading, he has stated that “whoever loves God must also love his brother” (4:21). When we love God, we can love those whom God has begotten because, when we are begotten by God, we receive or are strengthened in our faith. Through faith in Christ, one is both begotten by God and enters a circle of love, in which we love God and through that love, love our neighbor and, in loving our neighbor, we thus fulfill God’s commandments, which is what it means to love God.
Eight days after his resurrection, Jesus returns to his disciples, who have hidden themselves away from the world out of fear. During his passion, death, and now even his resurrection, the most dominant trait of most of Jesus’ closest associates has been fear. Yet now, in his moment of victory, Jesus speaks not a word of reproach or condemnation. Instead, he twice speaks a word of peace and then shows that he still has faith in them. This faith is not grounded in their native abilities or in their spiritual strength, but in the power of the Holy Spirit. The essence of the mission is to proclaim forgiveness, which the apostles have now received. Both the experience of forgiveness and the power of the Spirit equip the apostles to go out into the world to proclaim Christ.