Next Sunday's Scriptures

Here are the scripture readings for this upcoming Sunday.

Suggestion: Print this post and read a different passage each day and think about it (some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection).

You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

April 23, 2006
Second Sunday of Easter, Year B
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

Acts 4:32-35
Psalm 133
1 John 1:1-2:2
John 20:19-31

Acts 4:32-35
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and
soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions,
but everything they owned was held in common. With great power
the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy
person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them
and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the
apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
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This apostolic economy did not last in the life of the church except within monastic and a few other intentional communities.
What are your thoughts about this form of economics and community?
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Psalm 133:1-3
1 Oh, how good and pleasant it is, *
when brethren live together in unity!
2 It is like fine oil upon the head *
that runs down upon the beard,
3 Upon the beard of Aaron, *
and runs down upon the collar of his robe.
4 It is like the dew of Hermon *
that falls upon the hills of Zion.
5 For there the Lord has ordained the blessing: *
life for evermore.
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Read this Psalm with great gusto and a sense of appreciation for the experience of unity and fellowship. When have you felt deeply grateful for your connections within community?
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1 John 1:1-10
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have
heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at
and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life-- this
life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and
declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was
revealed to us -- we declare to you what we have seen and heard so
that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our
fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We
are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.
This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim
to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If
we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in
darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the
light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one
another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth
is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will
forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If
we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word
is not in us.
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that
you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with
the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning
sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins
of the whole world.
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What does the word "fellowship" mean in this passage?
How do you practice confession and receive (and give) forgiveness?
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John 20:19-31
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and
the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked
for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said,
"Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands
and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.
Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has
sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on
them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive
the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins
of any, they are retained."
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 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.
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Put yourself in the place of Thomas. How would you have reacted when your friends told you about something you had not experienced?
What helps you become convinced of the truth or falsity of spiritual claims?