April 12, 2007

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

For the next seven weeks we will celebrate Christ's Resurrection in the season known as Eastertide. Eastertide will culminate in the Feast of the Ascension 40 days after the Easter and the Feast of Pentecost 50 days after Easter. Eastertide is considered the holiest season in the Christian liturgical year and is marked by glad Alleluias sung at all of our worship services. The Paschal Candle which was lighted from the new fire and carried in procession at the Easter Vigil service will shine brightly during all of our Eucharistic services this season.

THEME FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER

This Sunday is sometimes called "Doubting Thomas" Sunday since the Gospel is the famous account of the apostle Thomas's questions and doubts. Thomas is a model for all who raise questions and demand rational proof for their belief. Theologians state that it is impossible to "prove" or, for that matter, "disprove" the existence of God or the resurrection of Christ because there is no evidence that can be examined using traditional scientific methods. God and the Resurrection cannot be put under a microscope, viewed through a telescope, or submitted to scientific measurements or experiments. God and the Resurrection are apprehended only by faith.

The readings and prayers focus on our faith in the risen Christ. In the Collect we pray: "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 reading is the doubting Job's response to God: "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."

Psalm 118 expresses Easter themes dear to Christians: "I will give thanks to you, for you answered me and have become my salvation. The same stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the LORD'S doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes. On this day the LORD has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

The reading from Acts recounts the arrest of the apostles and Peter's courageous response: "The high priest questioned them, saying, 'We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you are determined to bring this man's blood on us.' But Peter and the apostles answered, 'We must obey God rather than any human authority.'"

The Gospel from John is the famous account of "doubting" Thomas: "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 our 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.'"

John's Gospel adds: "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."

On this Sunday we bring our doubts, questions, and insecurities to the risen Lord. God loves us as we are and accepts our tentative steps in faith.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

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Worship Services for the Second Sunday of Easter, April 14-15, 2007

Saturday, April 14, at 5:00 pm: Preacher: Toni Jean DeLorenzo
Sunday, April 15, at 10:30 am: Preacher: Toni Jean DeLorenzo
Sunday, April 15, at 6:00 pm: Preacher: The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling

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Weekend and Mid-Week Worship Schedule

For the schedule of worship services for Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday, please click here.

Not Your Father's St. Patrick's Day ... rescheduled for Friday, April 27 at 8:00 pm. Please join us for the special St. Patrick's event (postponed from March 16 because of inclement weather) with Kevin O'Hara and Aine Minogue. Please click here for more information.

For the Collect of the Day, Scripture Readings, and Psalm, click here.

For a note on the Music at the Sunday 10:30 am service, from All Saints Music Director Donald Teeters, click here

The Story from this Sunday's Gospel is not available this week but will return next week.

For a note on the Sunday 6:00 pm 'Episcopal Evening' service from Assistant Rector, the Rev. Leslie K. Sterling, click here.

To browse past issues of the All Saints Weekly, click here.

For "All Saints Smiles" and news about events, activities, programs, ministries and the staff of our parish, please click on the All Saints website: www.allsaintsbrookline.org.

Many thanks to June Santosa, design, Mary Downes, distribution, and the contributors above who produce the All Saints Weekly each week.

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