Easter

Dec 10 2024

Scripture Study for

Although, as we saw last week, many of the Jews in Jerusalem “esteemed” the apostles for the healing and preaching, the religious leaders are suspicious of the apostles and their message. Accordingly, the apostles have been summoned before the Sanhedrin, which once again commands them to cease teaching in the name of Jesus (see 4:17–18). Here the Sanhedrin objects in particular to the claims that it is somehow responsible for the death of Jesus. Peter announces that of course it does not have the authority to stop them from teaching, because they are acting in obedience to a higher authority. They must preach the gospel, even if it brings them “dishonor,” which they joyfully accept as the price of their fidelity to God.

Having written letters of encouragement and admonition to the seven churches of Asia (2:1–3:22), John now recounts his vision of the heavenly liturgy, in which Christ, as the Lamb, receives the worship of countless angels, elders, and others. They acknowledge with one voice that the slain Paschal Lamb is worthy of worship, adoration, praise, and thanksgiving for his sacrifice on behalf of all creation. The entire creation, without exception, rightfully acknowledges Christ’s right to sit on the throne and rule that creation, receiving everlasting obedience and fidelity. The four living creatures are hybrid creatures (4:6–8), a clear reference to the four creatures in Ezekiel’s vision of the divine chariot throne, who are in fact cherubim (Ezekiel 1:5–21; 10:20).

In his final conversation with the disciples in John’s Gospel, Jesus appears to them at the Sea of Tiberias as they are fishing. Having caught nothing all night, they prepare to go ashore when Jesus sends them back out. The haul of fish, numbered at 153, is most likely symbolic, but readers through the centuries have been unsure of exactly what. More importantly, the threefold confession of Peter that he loves Jesus represents his rehabilitation after his threefold denial on Holy Thursday (John 18:17, 25, 27). Peter is now the shepherd who will tend Christ’s flock, caring for them as Christ did. The final verses point to the crucifixion of Peter, once again reminding readers that even those most in Christ’s favor (or perhaps especially those) cannot escape suffering in his service.

Dec 10 2024

Locked Doors

The door was locked. Not even a crack of light could get through. The teenager inside didn’t want to talk. She just wanted to be left alone. I felt pretty powerless. There wasn’t anything that I could do until she herself chose to open that door. I just sat on the carpet in the hallway, and prayed, “O God, help.”

The disciples had locked the door, too. They were afraid. They didn’t want to be found.

Jesus could have knocked the door down. He could have removed the hinges. He had the power to do that. But he didn’t. He used power differently. He set aside earthly physics. He “came” into their midst. There he was. The door didn’t open at all. Jesus brought his friends peace and reconciliation.

But he also had a bigger vision. He poured power into these people for a purpose—for them to burst open those doors and pour out into the streets to bring peace and healing. “Receive the Holy Spirit!” the Lord said.

And what a bursting forth! In today’s story from Acts, Peter and the apostles are running on God’s power—not power for power’s sake, but power to heal. People haul the sick out onto the streets so that Peter’s shadow can fall upon them and they are cured.

I cannot pop through walls. I had to wait. But the Holy Spirit must have oozed in through the cracks here as well. That bedroom door did eventually open. The teenager smiled through her tears. We had a good talk, peaceful and healing. I hope that she discovers her mission to bring peace and healing to this world as well, for she has much to offer. O God, help!

Consider/Discuss

Power is sometimes considered to be a dirty word. Historically, power has been abused and used to hurt. But power can also be used to heal. In Jesus’ divine mercy for the world, there is much healing to be done. What kind of Spirit-filled power would you like to pray for today, in order to fulfill the mission that you are called to?
I have a friend who is not very tall. But she is a fireball of prayer. She expects God to act. Do we live in expectation of God’s power? Jesus says, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Are we eager for the movement of the Holy Spirit in our lives?

Living and Praying with the Word

Holy Spirit, you know that there are times when we sit powerlessly on the floor, helpless to open locked doors. We ask for your power, not for ourselves, but to be your gift to this world. Purify us, convert us, transform us, so that we can be filled with your goodness; make us magnetic, loving, and giving people. It is you who pop into unlikely places. Ooze your love into hearts that we love, no matter how closed. Your love is so beautiful, wanting us all to be fully alive. Help us to share in that mission of yours, to radiate your openness and pass it on. Breathe on our world, Breath of God!

Dec 10 2024

Scripture Study for

The apostles of Jesus have been sent by him to continue his mission of proclaiming God’s reign, God’s exercise of sovereign power to heal all deformations of the divine will for the flourishing of all creation. In addition to the forgiveness of sins, the apostles proclaim God’s reign by acting as instruments of physical healing and deliverance from demons. At the Jerusalem temple many have gathered to see the apostles. Although they are hesitant to “join them,” that is, to become disciples of Jesus and be baptized, they nevertheless “esteem” the apostles (in contrast to many of the religious leaders). The power of the apostles to heal is matched by the powerful faith of the people, who trust that even Peter’s shadow will bring healing!

The larger context of the book of Revelation is the persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire. The book begins with an introduction by the author, John, who is on the Roman penal colony of Patmos because of his witness to Christ. He recounts here how he was called to give prophetic witness and encouragement to other Christians from his imprisonment. The scene of seven lampstands calls to mind the interior of the Jerusalem temple (1 Kings 7:49); we are thus in the divine realm. The “one like a son of man” (see Daniel 7:13) is the glorified Christ dressed in royal garb. Christ, who encompasses all of reality (first and last), is master over death. The message for faithful persecuted Christians is clear: Christ reigns and they have nothing to fear.

The fearful disciples have hidden from the world. Into their fear comes Christ, who twice proclaims peace and sends them back out into the world. Their mission is not only to forgive (or retain) sins, but to proclaim Jesus as God’s Messiah, proof of which claim is his resurrection. While the disciples have the advantage of actually seeing the resurrected Christ, those to whom they are sent will not. The story of Thomas emphasizes the necessity for those who are not able to “see the mark of the nails in his hands” to believe on the strength of the witness of others that Jesus of Nazareth, crucified as a criminal, is in fact “Lord and God.”

Dec 10 2024

Resurrection, in Spite of Us

Easter comes once a year. Yet in April of 2020, it didn’t seem to come at all. We were locked down from the COVID-19 pandemic; many, many were dying, dying alone. There were no liturgies at which to gather, no trumpeted alleluias, no family feast at the dining room table. I had been sick for weeks. My lungs still burned. I ate dry toast and watched Mass on my phone by myself at the kitchen table. It was an Easter morning of emptiness.

Mary of Magdala felt even more empty. She had a hollow cave in her heart that morning as she trudged toward the tomb. When she got there, the body was gone. “They” had taken the Lord, stolen the corpse of Jesus. The tomb was empty. Hollow. Gone.

When the Beloved Disciple entered the tomb, he saw that emptiness differently. What did he see that stirred him to rejoice? What made his chest to swell with confidence? We don’t know. But faith bubbled up within him. He saw. He believed. He rejoiced. In spite of the apparently hollow circumstances, God gave him this inner conviction: Jesus had risen from the tomb. Jesus was raised to new life. He knew!

I went out to my garden on that desolate Easter morning. The sun was shining. The air was warm. The birds were singing. The richness of spring was rising from the emptiness of winter. No matter how I felt inside, new life was swirling around me. My personal abyss was like a tiny island within a vast ocean of abundance. Resurrection was happening, going on in spite of me. The heavens still sang with alleluias—“Jesus is risen!” The angels still answered with joy, “He is risen indeed!”

What is happening with you on this day in 2022? No matter what, happy Easter!

Consider/Discuss

Human experience can feed faith—we can be lifted along by beautiful liturgy and the camaraderie of faith-filled friends. But there are other times, somehow, in the midst of desolation or pain or emptiness, that faith bubbles up anyway. We are flooded with belief. How does that happen? We don’t know. It’s a mystery. That inner certainty is a gift. Have you tasted it, even a tiny taste? What is it like to experience that inner assurance of faith as a gift from God?
Human life is full of big and small crucifixion moments. Human life is full of big and small resurrection moments. The glory of the Paschal Mystery is that there is One who transforms that darkness into light, that sorrow into joy, that hopelessness into hope. By the grace of God, we keep on making it through. Easter doesn’t just come once a year after all—Easter alleluias swirl round us all the time, for Jesus has entered into our abyss and has lifted it to new life. On this Easter Sunday, for what do you praise God today? Out of what darkness has the Son of Man lifted you to new life?

Living and Praying with the Word

Lord, the brightness of each new day is surrounded by your glory. The alleluias of your resurrection are deeper and more real than I can ever perceive. Give me your confidence, your blessed assurance, your joy, that even my darkest moments have been redeemed by you. Jesus, you are here; you are risen; you are alive; you are with me. This is the reality that is the firm basis of my life. Even when my earth-bound experience does not feel it, your gift of heaven-sent faith reveals otherwise. Thank you for health. Thank you for friends. Thank you for hope. Thank you for resurrection life. Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Dec 10 2024

Scripture Study for

In the coastal town of Caesarea lived a Roman named Cornelius who was “devout and God-fearing.” He had received a vision from God, instructing him to summon Peter, who, for his part, has been instructed by God to go (10:1–33). His speech is the kerygma in a nutshell: Jesus was anointed by God to go about “doing good and healing.” Nevertheless, he was condemned to death. Yet God raised him from the dead, after which he appeared to witnesses who could testify with certainty that his resurrection was real. Peter affirms that Jesus’ mission is being extended through himself and others, who are preaching in order to bring God’s forgiveness of sins to everyone— Jew or Gentile—who believes (trusts) in Jesus.

Colossians reminds the baptized that, like Christ, they have died to earthly things, those aspects of the world that are opposed to Christ. Now “raised,” believers actually live “above” with Christ, and must act accordingly. When Christ appears again, this new life, now “hidden” (accessible only by faith), will be revealed in all its glory. Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians has a simple point: you are now new people in Christ, so act like it. In preparation for Passover, all yeast and leavened bread is cleared out of the house; after the feast new leavened bread is prepared. The Corinthians have failed to do the necessary “house cleaning” both in their own hearts and within their community and are therefore not properly celebrating the Paschal feast, begun with the sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb.

When Mary Magdalene sees the empty tomb, she thinks at first that perhaps Jesus’ body has been stolen. The Evangelist spends some time, however, describing the empty linens, something thieves would not take the time to leave behind. We remember that when Lazarus (who would die again) was raised, he came forward in his linens. Jesus, who will not die again, has left the linens, like death itself, behind. When the Beloved Disciple sees the empty tomb and the linens, he believes that Jesus has been raised from the dead, not stolen, but he does not yet fully comprehend the meaning of the Resurrection. Understanding only comes when one encounters the resurrected Lord.