| Reading 1 | Response | Reading 2 | Gospel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acts 5:12-16 | Ps 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-2 | Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19 | Jn 20:19-31 |
| RCL: Acts 5:27-32 | RCL: Rev 1:4-8 |
Eastertime: different encounters with the Risen One
In the Easter season, Jesus appears to his disciples and explains his resurrection’s meaning; reveals himself to disciples in the upper room and at the Sea of Tiberias; gives his disciples a sign and a commandment to love one another; teaches about the coming Paraclete; and prays for oneness of those whom he sends into the world. Today’s readings invite us to continue to explore the resurrection’s certainties and our own sometimes-confused, evolving faith.
First reading (Acts 5:12-16)
Throughout the Easter season, the first reading is a semi-continuous reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Luke’s follow-on story of how the ekklesia spread from Jerusalem to Rome. In today’s pericope, the apostles, meeting in the Temple in “Solomon’s portico,” continue Jesus’ healing ministry (“signs and wonders”). Because of the apostles’ miraculous power, the Temple-goers simultaneously “esteem them” and are afraid of them (“none dared to join them”). Despite human awe and fear, God continues to “add great numbers” to the growing believing community. The divine power is so strong in Peter that his “shadow” alone heals. Jesus’ work of overthrowing Satan’s kingdom (“the sick and those disturbed by unclean spirits”) continues through the apostles. The Lectionary editors chose this reading because it shows Jesus’ prophetic spirit continuing to work through his disciples.
Second reading (Rev 1:9-11a, 12-13, 17-19)
Throughout the Easter season, the second reading is a semi-continuous reading from Revelation, the last and most misunderstood writing in Christian scripture. Revelation is apocalyptic, not prophetic: its end-time visions describe God’s judgement and triumph over evil, it is not a historical blueprint for how and when the world ends. John of Patmos, also called John the seer (who is not John the evangelist), writes to give hope and comfort to his oppressed community. In today’s pericope, John the seer sets the context for this apocalypse: he is exiled to the Greek island Patmos for preaching the Jesus’ gospel. The “distress” he shares with other believers refers to Domitian’s (Roman emperor from 81 to 96 AD) persecutions in Asia. John the seer’s visions begin with a commission from the enthroned Christ (“son of man”) to “write down what you see.” The glorified Christ appears in a “robe” (indicating priesthood) with a “golden sash” (indicating kingship). He identifies himself as “once dead, but now alive forever,” a reference to Christ’s death, resurrection, and heavenly glorification. The keys to Death and Hades (“death and the netherworld”) refer to powers (like life and glorification), not physical things or places. The glorified Christ assures John the seer and his hearers that he and his disciples will ultimately triumph, which is the message of John the seer’s apocalyptic Revelation. The Lectionary editors chose this reading to continue the image of the resurrected and glorified Christ in the gospel.
Gospel (Jn 20:19-31)
John’s gospel continues last week’s stories about how disciples come to faith in different ways and at different times. In today’s pericope, John explores how future disciples can come to believe in the risen Jesus without a resurrection appearance.
- The assembled disciples come to believe. Last week’s gospel charted the different journeys of Mary Magdalene and the beloved disciple from unbelief through conditional faith to unconditional belief in the risen Lord. Today’s gospel shows the assembled disciples’ faith journey. Mary Magdalene proclaims to the disciples that Jesus is raised; they believe conditionally, but are still “afraid.” Only when Jesus appears physically (“shows them his hands and side”) do they move to unconditional faith: they respond with “peace” and “joy.”
- Thomas comes to believe. Thomas missed Mary Magdalene’s proclamation, Jesus’ first appearance, the disciples’ rejoicing, and Jesus’ gift of peace and commissioning. Thomas demands to experience Jesus’ physical body (“unless I see,” “unless I put my finger”) to move to faith. Thomas doesn’t reject Jesus’ resurrection, but places conditions on his journey to unconditional belief. Appearing again, Jesus offers to fulfill Thomas’ conditions (“put your finger here”), but challenges Thomas to move to unconditional faith (“be not unbelieving, but believe“). The story doesn’t tell us if Thomas touches Jesus; maybe his intense personal encounter with the risen Jesus makes Thomas forget his demand. His final statement of unconditional belief (“My Lord and my God”) completes his journey.
- How later disciples come to believe. Jesus final comment (“Blessed those who have not seen and yet believe“) describes how disciples of different eras must come to faith. First-era disciples journeyed to faith, sometimes imperfectly, with Jesus physically present to them. Next-era disciples journey to faith within a believing community that demonstrates, sometimes imperfectly, that Jesus is the revealer and revelation of God. How do they come to faith without Jesus’ physical presence? They take as a model the first-era disciple who came to faith without seeing Jesus: the beloved disciple. New-era disciples who believe without seeing match the faith of the greatest disciple, who comes to faith despite Jesus’ physical absence, but with a Jesus present in his believing community.
Summary and reflection
Jesus’ resurrection has many meanings and many implications. Throughout the Easter season, the readings invite us to reflect on this cosmos-changing event. Acts reveals the risen Jesus continuing his teaching and healing through his apostles. Revelation describes the glorified Jesus, priest and king, ruling cosmic powers. John shows the risen Jesus among his struggling disciples, granting peace and urging them to unconditional faith.
The resurrected and glorified Christ remains present and at work in believing communities, even when he feels absent. How do we find Christ and faith in the Easter event? Do we look for extraordinary signs and wonders, or do we see Jesus’ miraculous presence in the everyday service and healing? Do we await a divine vision that will clarify life’s meaning, or do we see Jesus revealing discipleship’s meaning in scripture’s words and examples? Do we passively watch imperfect believing communities struggling with faith, or do we actively commit ourselves to a fully-present Jesus who calls us to belief without seeing?
—Terence Sherlock
The Lectionary In Context 