Good Evening Dear Family!
Happy Second Sunday of Easter! Yes, we are having our yearly Gospel lesson that centers around Thomas and Jesus. Jesus keeps appearing and disappearing to his followers all over hill and dale and hither and yon for the past week. Thomas has been told that Jesus has risen from the dead but hasn't been present for the event until now. I kept wondering where Thomas was all this time and where he was going? Don't you? In any event Thomas is having a hard time accepting the facts that this is truly Jesus and needs tangible proof. Yes Thomas was into fact checking of a tactile kind. Would you like more details?
Please read today's God News not Fake News and see what happened. Today's version is from The Voice:
John 20:19-31The Voice (VOICE)
19 On that same evening (Resurrection Sunday), the followers gathered together behind locked doors in fear that some of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem were still searching for them. Out of nowhere, Jesus appeared in the center of the room.
Jesus: May each one of you be at peace.
20 As He was speaking, He revealed the wounds in His hands and side. The disciples began to celebrate as it sank in that they were really seeing the Lord.
Jesus: 21 I give you the gift of peace. In the same way the Father sent Me, I am now sending you.
22 Now He drew close enough to each of them that they could feel His breath. He breathed on them:
Jesus: Welcome the Holy Spirit of the living God. 23 You now have the mantle of God’s forgiveness. As you go, you are able to share the life-giving power to forgive sins, or to withhold forgiveness.
24 All of the eleven were present with the exception of Thomas. 25 He heard the accounts of each brother’s interaction with the Lord.
The Other Disciples: We have seen the Lord!
Thomas: Until I see His hands, feel the wounds of the nails, and put my hand to His side, I won’t believe what you are saying.
26 Eight days later, they gathered again behind locked doors; and Jesus reappeared. This time Thomas was with them.
Jesus: May each one of you be at peace.
27 He drew close to Thomas.
Jesus: Reach out and touch Me. See the punctures in My hands; reach out your hand, and put it to My side; leave behind your faithlessness, and believe.
Thomas (filled with emotion): 28 You are the one True God and Lord of my life.
Jesus: 29 Thomas, you have faith because you have seen Me. Blessed are all those who never see Me and yet they still believe.
30 Jesus performed many other wondrous signs that are not written in this book. 31 These accounts are recorded so that you, too, might believe that Jesus is the Anointed, the Liberating King, the Son of God, because believing grants you the life He came to share.
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Wow! What a powerful account! Please take time to place yourselves in the God News and see what you find deep in your inner beings. Who are you in this Gospel lesson? Are you a doubting or an unquestioning believer who doesn't need proof? Do you need to Fact Check with the SNOPES of that era which means by touch and sight? Ponder these things. Read the remaining lessons from today:
Acts 2:14a,22-32
Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd, “You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him,
‘I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
moreover my flesh will live in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One experience corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
“Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,
‘He was not abandoned to Hades,
nor did his flesh experience corruption.’
This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.”
Psalm 16
Conserva me, Domine
1 Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; *
I have said to the Lord, "You are my Lord,
my good above all other."
2 All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, *
upon those who are noble among the people.
3 But those who run after other gods *
shall have their troubles multiplied.
4 Their libations of blood I will not offer, *
nor take the names of their gods upon my lips.
5 O Lord, you are my portion and my cup; *
it is you who uphold my lot.
6 My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; *
indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
7 I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; *
my heart teaches me, night after night.
8 I have set the Lord always before me; *
because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.
9 My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; *
my body also shall rest in hope.
10 For you will not abandon me to the grave, *
nor let your holy one see the Pit.
11 You will show me the path of life; *
in your presence there is fullness of joy,
and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
Christ is risen. Alleluia.
People And has appeared to the disciples. Alleluia
1 Peter 1:3-9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith-- being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire-- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Psalm 134 Ecce nunc
Behold now, bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD, *
you that stand by night in the house of the LORD.
Lift up your hands in the holy place and bless the LORD; *
the LORD who made heaven and earth bless you out of Zion.
Adoro Te Devote
(lyrics are written by St. Thomas Aquinas)
Humbly I adore thee, Verity unseen,
Who thy glory hidest 'neath these shadows mean;
Lo, to thee surrendered, my whole heart is bowed,
Tranced as it beholds thee, shrined within the cloud.
Taste, and touch, and vision, to discern thee fail;
Faith, that comes by hearing, piercest through the veil.
I believe whate're the Son of God hath told;
What the Truth hath spoken, that for truth I hold.
O memorial wondrous of the Lord's own death;
Living bread that givest all thy creatures breath,
Grant my spirit ever by thy life may live,
To my taste thy sweetness neverfailing give.
Jesus whom now hidden, I by faith behold,
What my soul doth long for, that thy word fortold:
Face to face thy splendor, I at last shall see,
In the glorious vision, blessed Lord, of thee.
Collect of the Day:
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.
A Song of Faith
1 Peter 1:3-4,18-21
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, *
by divine mercy we have a new birth into a living hope;
Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, *
we have an inheritance that is imperishable in heaven.
The ransom that was paid to free us *
was not paid in silver or gold,
But in the precious blood of Christ, *
the Lamb without spot or stain.
God raised Jesus from the dead and gave him glory *
so that we might have faith and hope in God.
Loving God we thank you for this day of Sabbath rest the gift of sleep. Before we slumber we light our candles and pray for all of our family members who are facing any struggle or anxiety this week.
We pray that we may give ourselves over to kind words and loving deeds in service to our family members. We pray for peace in this fragile and broken world that has been fraught with war, disaster, and terror. We pray that we may find ourselves rising to help others in Jesus Name and spread the Good News that God is Love. We take time in the silence of our hearts to pray for______________ and add our thanksgivings__________________. As our season of prayer continues we pray this night for the peoples and nations of Egypt, Syria, Afghanistan and all places where there is terror and acts of war being committed. We pray for all those who have lost their lives this weekend and those who mourn their loss. We pray for refugees, captives, and victims of human trafficking. Let us be light bearers and show and love others. We pray that we may be CALM (Compassionate, Accepting, Loving, and Merciful) this night and always. Amen.
God we thank you for times of quiet and contemplation. Help us to empty our minds and selves so that we may be filled with you, your love, your mercy, and your grace.
God we pray that as we are in quiet that all our baggage of today may be put away so that we may be focused ever deeply on you O God.
God we pray that as we are in quiet that you will heal all those who are ill and in pain. We leave them into your hands O God.
God we pray that as we are in quiet that you will watch over the least of these and those who are homeless, hungry, and ill-clad.
God we pray that as we are in quiet that peace may prevail on Earth and that we may be the peacemakers and children of God you have called us to be.
God we pray that as we are in quiet for those who mourn and are grieving any loss. We remember this night especially those who have lost employment.
God we pray that as we are in quiet for those who are dying and have died.
God we pray that as we are in quiet for__________________________
God we pray that as we are in quiet for our many thanksgivings especially_________________
God we pray that as we are in quiet that our prayers may be lifted up in the Holy Name of Jesus. Amen.
The Beatitudes Matthew 5:3–12
Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. (5:3)
Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted. (5:4)
Blessed are the meek: for they will inherit the earth. (5:5)
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness: for they will be filled. (5:6)
Blessed are the merciful: for they will be shown mercy. (5:7)
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they will see God. (5:8)
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they will be called children of God. (5:9)
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (5:10)
A Prayer attributed to St. Francis
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. Amen.
The Song of Mary
Magnificat
Luke 1:46-55
My soul doth magnify the Lord, *
and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.
For he hath regarded *
the lowliness of his handmaiden.
For behold from henceforth *
all generations shall call me blessed.For he that is mighty hath magnified me, * and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him *
throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm; *
he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat, *
and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, *
as he promised to our forefathers,
Abraham and his seed for ever.
The Song of Simeon Nunc Dimittis
Luke 2:29-32
Lord, you now have set your servant free *
to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *
whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *
and the glory of your people Israel.
The Wisdom of God
the Love of God
and the Grace of God
strengthen you
to be Christ’s hands and heart in this world,
in the name of the Holy Trinity. Amen.
(source: Celtic)
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Good Night Dear Brothers and Sisters. Tomorrow I will try and do a prayer walk. We have way too much pollen flying around. I'm just getting over a headache. I love you and give God thanks for you this night and always.
With love,
Sara
Resources:
Enriching our Worship
Book of Common Prayer
Lectionary Page
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