Sunday, April 16, 2023

Second Sunday of Easter

The Revised Common Lectionary passages for the Lord’s Day are:
– First Reading: Acts 2:14a, 22-32
– Psalm 16
– Second Reading: I Peter 1:3-9
– Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31

The liturgical color for the day is: White

Jesus is there, and he brings a new reality with him.

What does he do on that first evening of resurrection?  He comes into their locked room and he stands among them and he says, “Peace be with you.”  This is his first encounter since it has all happened and he says, “Peace be with you.”  It is that shalom—the fullness of God’s presence—“peace be with you.”

Such is how he encounters them.  It is his first encounter with them since it all took place.  There is no shame here.  Jesus does not appear and shame them.  Jesus does not accuse them.  He does not ask or shame.  There was no, “Where were you when I needed you?”  There was no accusation or inquisition about, “What was the deal with your going missing when I needed you?”  “How could you have deserted me?”  In fact, there were not even any “I told you so” statements.

Instead, there is only shalom—peace—may the fullness of God’s presence be upon you.

It is about forgiveness.  Jesus appears among them with forgiveness.  It is the whole of Jesus and it is the new reality.  It is what Jesus ushers into all those darkened locked rooms of our lives.  No shame—there is only shalom.  No shame—there is only forgiveness. 

It is the new reality.  It is why Jesus says if you forgive it is forgiven and if you retain it is retained.  Because we can choose to receive it or we can bypass it.  We can receive the new reality or can stay steeped in the old way.  The old way hangs on; the old way tries to keep things locked away in secret closets; the old way pretends that everything is okay.

The new reality knows that Christ comes into all the darkened places.  The new reality welcomes the appearance of God into all those places where the general facts of life would say that nothing will ever change.  God shifts all that with the shalom.  “Peace be with you.”  Receive the fullness of God’s presence.

—

Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena
General Presbyter and Stated Clerk