April 1, 2008

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Eastertide, the fifty days from Easter to the feast of Pentecost, is the most joyous season of the liturgical year. Hymns and prayers exclaim Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Paschal Candle, first lit from the new fire at the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday night, burns brightly during worship services. The fifty days of Easter are time to revel in the mystery of new life in Christ.

THEME FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER

The Gospels portrays many instances of Jesus appearing to the apostles after his crucifixion in ways that convinced them that he was risen and alive. Today's reading from Luke is the account of disciples who recognize him in the "breaking of the bread." When early Christian communities gathered for prayer, they experienced the risen Christ in their midst teaching them through the word of Scripture and nourishing them in the sacramental meal of the Holy Eucharist. 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 tells how Peter's preaching led many to seek baptism and membership in the Christian community: "Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, 'Brothers, what should we do?' Peter said to them, 'Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.' And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, 'Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.' So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added." (Acts 2:14a,36-41)

Psalm 116 is the prayer of gratitude of one who has been rescued from danger and grief: "I love the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him. The cords of death entangled me; the grip of the grave took hold of me; I came to grief and sorrow. Then I called upon the Name of the LORD: 'O LORD, I pray you, save my life.' How shall I repay the LORD for all the good things he has done for me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call upon the Name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people."

The reading from the first letter of Peter exhorts those who have been baptized to live lives that reflect their new identity in Christ: "Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God." (1 Peter 1:17-23)

The Gospel reading from Luke is the account of two disciples on the road to Emmaus who encounter a stranger on the first Easter day. The disciples are distraught and confused because of the crucifixion of Jesus. The stranger gently listens and then explains Jesus' death in the light of the Scriptures. The disciples are drawn to this stranger and invite him to stay with them and to share a meal. "'Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.' So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, 'Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?'" (Luke 24:13-35)

We believe that the risen Christ is in our midst "opening the scriptures to us" and "breaking bread with us" each time we gather to celebrate the Holy Eucharist. We invite you to join us for the beautiful and reverent celebrations of the holy sacrament so that you may share in the joy of the resurrection.

Sincerely,

David A. Killian
Rector

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Worship Services for the Third Sunday of Easter, April 5-6, 2008
Saturday, April 5, at 5:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, April 6, at 10:30 am - Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian
Sunday, April 6, at 6:00 pm - Preacher: The Rev. David A. Killian

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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 internationally acclaimed musician and composer 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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