Sermon Transcript: The Second Sunday of Easter The Rev. R. Allan McCaslin
Readings: Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133; I John 1:1-2:2; John 20:19-31
From John’s gospel, “Jesus came and stood among (the disciples) and said, ‘Peace be with you.’” I speak to you in the Name of the
Father, the risen Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Second Sunday of Easter is typically referred to as, “Doubting Thomas Sunday” although most of us know it as, “Low Sunday” meaning that our worship together does not include all the pageantry we experienced on Easter. Rather than a “high holy day,” today is a regular feast day of our resurrected Lord usually marked by a lesser or “lower” style of worship and, sadly, lower attendance. I am delighted so many of you continue to celebrate these great fifty days of Easter.
Many of you might recall that my former parish home in Boston was a rather wealthy parish. Oh, let’s face it: most people there had more money than you or I will see in a lifetime. As such, there were two scripture lessons that raised the hackles of wealthy members. One was our Lord’s own words in Mark 10:25 “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter God’s kingdom.” (In fact, the priest was told to never read that gospel lesson out loud!) The second “forbidden” scripture is today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles which is often spoken of and derided as the, “Communism of Acts.” Luke tells us that the early Christian community had learned to take care of each other by selling their holdings in order that no one might be in need. It is a wonderful statement about sharing our resources, but far more important, is the sense of unity of purpose that such caring and sharing created within the early church. So much so, Luke says, “great grace was upon them all.” With everyone’s needs being met, they were able to work together for the sake of the gospel– to focus on God’s mission of redemption in this world – and that mission spread like wildfire throughout the community. It is amazing what can happen when God’s people are unified by a common purpose and common faith.
The Psalmist speaks of such unity comparing it to the flowing oils that were used to nourish the skin and signify God’s permeating blessing on people of faith. “Oh, how good and pleasant and it is, when brethren live together in unity!” says the Psalmist. In other words, it is just downright nice when people get along and seek the common good.
Readings: Acts 4:32-35; Psalm 133; I John 1:1-2:2; John 20:19-31
From John’s gospel, “Jesus came and stood among (the disciples) and said, ‘Peace be with you.’” I speak to you in the Name of the
Father, the risen Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Second Sunday of Easter is typically referred to as, “Doubting Thomas Sunday” although most of us know it as, “Low Sunday” meaning that our worship together does not include all the pageantry we experienced on Easter. Rather than a “high holy day,” today is a regular feast day of our resurrected Lord usually marked by a lesser or “lower” style of worship and, sadly, lower attendance. I am delighted so many of you continue to celebrate these great fifty days of Easter.
Many of you might recall that my former parish home in Boston was a rather wealthy parish. Oh, let’s face it: most people there had more money than you or I will see in a lifetime. As such, there were two scripture lessons that raised the hackles of wealthy members. One was our Lord’s own words in Mark 10:25 “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter God’s kingdom.” (In fact, the priest was told to never read that gospel lesson out loud!) The second “forbidden” scripture is today’s reading from the Acts of the Apostles which is often spoken of and derided as the, “Communism of Acts.” Luke tells us that the early Christian community had learned to take care of each other by selling their holdings in order that no one might be in need. It is a wonderful statement about sharing our resources, but far more important, is the sense of unity of purpose that such caring and sharing created within the early church. So much so, Luke says, “great grace was upon them all.” With everyone’s needs being met, they were able to work together for the sake of the gospel– to focus on God’s mission of redemption in this world – and that mission spread like wildfire throughout the community. It is amazing what can happen when God’s people are unified by a common purpose and common faith.
The Psalmist speaks of such unity comparing it to the flowing oils that were used to nourish the skin and signify God’s permeating blessing on people of faith. “Oh, how good and pleasant and it is, when brethren live together in unity!” says the Psalmist. In other words, it is just downright nice when people get along and seek the common good.
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