March 27, 2008
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Alleluia! Alleluia! Christ is risen and we are risen to new life in him. This is our Easter shout. This is our Easter joy. The Church gives us 50 days in the season known as Eastertide to revel in the mystery of new life in Christ. The Sundays of Easter will reflect different facets of this great mystery in the coming weeks.
THEME FOR THE SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
The Scriptures tell us that Jesus appeared to the apostles after his crucifixion in various ways that convinced them that he was risen and alive. The apostles were realistic working men; they were fishermen, laborers. They were not given to illusions or wild philosophy. Being Jewish, they were fiercely monotheistic and resistant to Greek notions of multiple deities. Why did the apostles say that Jesus was risen from the dead? It is because they were overwhelmingly convinced that this was true because Jesus appeared to them. John's Gospel shows the struggle of one of the apostles, Thomas, to overcome his doubts and to affirm the living 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 from Acts is Luke's account of Peter's sermon about Christ's resurrection: "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 ... This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses." (Acts 2:14a,22-32)
Psalm 16 is an affirmation of faith in God's power to triumph over death: "My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also shall rest in hope. For you will not abandon me to the grave, nor let your holy one see the Pit. 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."
The reading from the first epistle of Peter proclaims faith in God's great mercy that "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 ... 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." (1 Peter 1:3-9)
The Gospel passage from John is the famous account of "doubting Thomas," the disciple who needed to touch the wounds of Christ before he would believe. "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." (John 20:19-31).
During this holy season of Eastertide you may you experience the joy and peace of the living Christ.
Sincerely,
David A. Killian
Rector
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Worship Services for the Second Sunday of Easter, March 29-30, 2008
Saturday, March 29, at 5:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. Christian Brocato
Sunday, March 30, at 10:30 am - The Rev. Christian Brocato
Sunday, March 30, at 6:00 pm - The Rev. Leslie K. Sterling
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EVENTS at All Saints Parish
For a schedule of worship services, please click here. For information about the workshop and concert with John Bell on April 18, click here. For information on the Spirituality and Justice Award that will be presented to Dr. Paul Farmer on April 27, please click here.
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) readings.
For a Story from this Sunday's Gospel by Becky Taylor, Director of Children's Youth, and Family Ministry, click here.
For a note on the Sunday 6:00 pm 'Sunday Evening Contemplative Eucharist' 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 web site: www.allsaintsbrookline.org.
Many thanks to June Santosa, design, Barbara Bembery, distribution, and the contributors above who produce the All Saints Weekly each week.
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