Easter II- The Shepherd of our Souls- John 10:11; I Peter 2:25

On the traditional calendars of western churches, the Second Sunday after Easter has been called Good Shepherd Sunday (newer calendars shift this theme to a week later). Of course, this theme is related to the Gospel, in particular, John 10:11 where Jesus says, "I am the good Shepherd." This time, let us focus on a related statement in the Epistle. In I Peter 2:25, the Apostle Peter writes, "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."

This verse presents two truths. 1) Human beings are like sheep, and we go astray. We do not think or live as we should. We wander away on our own and get into all kinds of danger and trouble. 2) Despite our tendency to wander, Jesus Christ is our Shepherd. He wants to guide us and protect us. He is the bishop,  that is, the "overseer," who watches over our souls. So Christians are those who have returned to our Good Shepherd. We have returned to Jesus, and we need to stay close to Him. The risen Lord is the only one who can properly guide and care for us! Thanks be to God for this message of hope!

Easter I- Shalom- John 20:19-23

The Gospel for the First Sunday after Easter is John 20:19-23. In these few verses,  the risen Christ comes to where the timid and fearful disciples are hiding. He greets them in the common Jewish manner, saying “Peace be with you.”  This greeting is an implied prayer for God’s peace that acquires a special meaning in light of Christ’s resurrection. The greeting is now a blessing from the risen Lord. Jesus is the personification of God’s peace, and He has established a new relationship with the heavenly Father for all who truly believe in Him.

The fearful disciples need to hear these reassuring words, but Jesus does not stop there. Jesus wishes them peace a second time, and this time, He adds something. He gives them a mission. As the heavenly Father has sent Him, likewise Christ sends the apostles and through them, all His Church. Jesus shares His resurrection victory over sin and spiritual death with His disciples. He shares His Good News of peace with God, and He asks His followers to share that spiritual peace with others.

Christians still need to hear and believe this two-fold message of peace with God through the crucified risen Christ. First, despite our failings, Jesus Christ still offers us true, deep, and lasting peace. He brings us renewal, reconciliation, and hope. He simply asks us to accept Him and His message in faith. Secondly, as people who have received such peace from Him, He asks us to share this good news with others who need to receive the same divine blessing. These two points are the perennial message of Easter for us and for all people.

Easter, the Feast of the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ- Romans 6:9-11

 Alleluia! Christ is risen!  He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Easter is the greatest of Christian celebrations, and discussing it sometimes strikes me as overwhelming in a good way. The resurrection of the crucified One is the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and His Resurrection relates to all the themes of Christian worship, doctrine, and living. In reading various Scripture and Prayer Book references this week, my attention was drawn to the Easter Anthem (pp. 162-163 in the 1928 BCP; p.118 in my 1662 BCP), In particular, I noticed the verses from Romans 6:9-11:

"Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; * death hath no more dominion over him.

For in that he died, he died unto sin once: * but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, * but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord."

These beautiful and sublime words have lasting significance. Jesus Christ has been raised and accomplished a definitive and unique victory over sin and death. As people who have been united with Christ in baptism and faith, we are also dead to sin and alive to God and His goodness. Despite the trials of earthly existence and our own failures, Christ has won a victory for us, a victory that He graciously offers to us again and again in Word and Sacrament. Let us give thanks and rejoice in the good news of our risen Lord! Alleluia!

Easter Even or Holy Saturday- Matthew 27:57-66

This Saturday before Easter, called Easter Even in the Book of Common Prayer, has traditionally been a quiet day for Anglicans, a time of reflection and preparation. This fact is reflected in the Gospel for the day, Matthew 27:57-66. Jesus has been buried and descended to the dead. The disciples mourn. Wicked human beings are still plotting to contain the crucified Christ in the tomb by sending armed guards to watch. In the meantime, God is preparing to bring about an amazing victory over sin and death!

Good Friday- Isaiah 53:6

How can this day be called Good Friday? Crucifixion in itself was one of the more cruel and shameful forms of execution ever devised. Furthermore, Jesus of Nazareth was the holiest man and the pure Son of God falsely accused and plotted against by evil. Yet, it is a good day because it shows the love of God reaching out to fallen and corrupt human beings. The Crucified One is the Lamb of God who takes away our sins, and the apparent defeat of goodness on this day will be turned into an eternal cosmic victory over sin, death, and the devil.

In the words of Isaiah 53:6, "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."

Thursday before Easter, commonly called Maundy - I Corinthians 11

All the days of Holy Week remind Christians of Jesus' Passion and Death,  but Maundy Thursday is primarily for the commemoration of the institution of the Lord's Supper, Holy Communion, or the Eucharist. The Epistle in the BCP is from I Corinthians 11 and contains St. Paul's version of Christ's words of institution.  Theologians may discuss these words and their meanings, but on this day, we should sense that the Lord's Supper goes beyond academic discussions. Rather, these simple words are about the heart of Christian worship and devotion. The Eucharist focuses on the work of Jesus Christ for our salvation. It points us to His continuing offer of forgiveness and grace, and to our need for humble faith in His presence with us, especially as He comes to us through His Supper. "Let us give thanks unto our Lord God."

Holy Week, the Passion Gospels

 Since the first Book of Common Prayer in 1549, Anglicans have continued the ancient Christian tradition of reading large portions of the Gospel Passion narratives during Holy Week. Indeed, such readings may go back to the earliest years of the Church when the Passion and Resurrection narratives were probably the first parts of the Gospels to be written and read in worship. Some lectionaries since the 1970s have modified the selections, but the sequence from 1549 through 1962 remained basically the same in all versions of the Prayer Book.

So during this Holy Week, whether one can attend services where the Passion narratives are read aloud or one must simply read at home, I would encourage the following readings along with any other services or devotions.

Palm Sunday- Matthew 27

Monday- Mark 14

Tuesday- Mark 15

Wednesday- Luke 22

Maundy Thursday- Luke 23

Good Friday- John (18 and) 19