Second Sunday of Easter

Second Sunday of Easter 4/11/21

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. 

Psalm 133  

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. 

A Litany for the Second Sunday of Easter

Loving Creator who lives within your creation

you seek to bring us enough for every day

you renew the face of our fragile earth

and restore the beauty your hands have made.

Give to us peace, in our time, Dear Lord.

We are yours, yet we so  easily wander off

distracted and confused we strike out

we compete and destroy one another

trying to create our own perfect creations.

Give to us peace, in our time, Dear Lord.

we often despair and lose our faith

you promise to show us your wounded hands 

we struggle to trust the stories of others

you came and let Thomas touch your side.

Give us your peace, in our time,  Dear Lord.

In our weakness and fear we often doubt

yet you shower us with love no matter what.

We often fight and struggle to conquer others

and every morning you breathe your peace on all.

Help us to live in the light of your love

make us the instruments of your peace.

Help us in our belief so we might serve others

make us your peace upon this earth today.