April 21, 2009

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

St. Augustine said that we are Easter people and Alleluia is our song. Augustine also said that a Christian should be an Alleluia from head to toe. In this holy season of Eastertide, may our lives radiate the joy of the risen Christ. For more information about Eastertide, please click here.

THEME FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

In today's Gospel Jesus assures the disciples that he is risen and alive in their midst. Jesus again gives them the gift of his peace (Hebrew word "shalom"), a gift that they are to share with all they meet. In the Collect we pray: "O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."

The reading from Acts is Peter's exhortation that Jesus is the Messiah: "You Israelites, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our ancestors has glorified his servant Jesus." (Acts 3:12-19)

Psalm 4 is a plea for God's protection: "Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; you set me free when I am hard-pressed; have mercy on me and hear my prayer. 'You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; how long will you worship dumb idols and run after false gods?' Know that the LORD does wonders for the faithful; when I call upon the LORD, he will hear me. Tremble, then, and do not sin; speak to your heart in silence upon your bed."

The reading from the first epistle of John emphasizes our identity as heirs of God's kingdom: "See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is." (1 John 3:1-7)

The Gospel from Luke is the account of an appearance of Jesus after his resurrection: "While the disciples were telling how they had seen Jesus risen from the dead, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, 'Peace be with you.' They were startled and terrified, and thought that they were seeing a ghost. He said to them, 'Why are you frightened, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? Look at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have.' And when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. While in their joy they were disbelieving and still wondering, he said to them, 'Have you anything here to eat?' They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate in their presence." (Luke 24:36b-48)

Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed! You are invited to worship with us Saturdays at 5:00 pm and Sundays at 10:30 am.

Sincerely, David A. Killian Rector

For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, click here. Please note that the we are now using the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) reading. For Story from this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children, Youth and Family Ministry, click here.

worship services for

The Third Sunday of Easter
April 25-26, 2009
Saturday, April 25, at 5:00 pm — Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, April 26, at 10:30 am — Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian

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All Saints Parish • 1773 Beacon Street • Brookline, MA 02445 • 617-738-1810