Scripture Study for

Second Sunday of Easter

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. 

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