Posted on

Second Sunday of Easter, April 28, 2019

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

First Reading (Acts 5:27-32)

After the church is established in Jerusalem the apostles are causing such a stir about Jesus that the Jewish council demands their silence. They refuse, saying they are witnesses to God’s raising and exalting of Jesus to his side and must answer to him, not those who killed Jesus.

Psalm (118:14-29)

The Psalmist has experienced the Lord’s punishment and then, in answer to prayer, a last-minute rescue from death. The gates of righteousness are now thrown open and the rejected stone has now become the cornerstone. It is the day of the Lord’s salvation. Let us celebrate!

OR

Psalm (150)

The Psalmist encourages exuberant praise to the Lord for his presence, creation and mighty deeds of salvation. Such praise is to be accompanied by every form of musical instrument, including the voices of everything that breathes.

Second Reading (Revelation 1:4-8)

John writes to the churches in Asia about a revelation from the Lord himself, resurrected and exalted over all powers. He loves us and has saved us from our sins, making us into a kingdom of priests. He, the beginning and the end, is coming openly from heaven to judge all humanity.

Gospel (John 20:19-31)

On Easter evening Jesus appears to his disciples and breathes the Holy Spirit on them, sending them into the world to continue his mission. A week later, he convinces a doubting Thomas and blesses those who believe without actually seeing for themselves.

CONNECTION SUGGESTIONS

  • The bodily resurrection of Jesus is attested by the personal witness of those who encountered him in risen form
  • The resurrection of Jesus brings new and abundant life
  • The resurrection and ascension of Jesus establish his credentials as Lord of all
  • The mission of the Church arises out of the bodily resurrection of Jesus and the salvation he has accomplished
  • The resurrection of Jesus is an act of God to be celebrated without parallel

 

 

 

Posted on

Readings for April23,2017 Year A Second Sunday of Easter

Please see How to Use Lection Connection

 

First Reading and Psalm

  • Acts 2:14a, 22-32
  • Psalm 16

Second Reading

  • 1 Peter 1:3-9

Gospel

  • John 20:19-31

Full lections can be read here.

Based on the Readings as Set

Peter, in part of his Pentecost sermon to the pilgrims and residents in Jerusalem, reminds them that they were aware of the powerful signs and wonders that Jesus had performed but handed him over to death anyway. But he was proven stronger even than death when God raised him, an event David himself had predicted of the Messiah in the Psalms. Peter and the other disciples are indeed witnesses to this fact. In today’s Psalm David affirms his total commitment to YAHWEH and rejoices in the benefits of so doing. These even extend to victory over the power of the grave. In his first letter St. Peter exults in how the resurrection of Jesus has absolutely secured the believers’ inheritance beyond this life. This fact is a source of deep joy even in times of trials that test the reality of our faith. St. John tells of two post-resurrection appearances of Jesus in which he first bestows peace upon his disciples and then shows them his hands and his side. In the first appearance, on Easter evening, he breathes the Holy Spirit upon them and sends them into the world to continue his mission. In the second, one week later, he convinces a doubting Thomas and then uses the opportunity to especially bless those who come to faith without seeing his risen body.

As Introductions and/or Bulletin Use

First Reading

Peter, in part of his Pentecost sermon to the pilgrims and residents in Jerusalem, reminds them that they were aware of the powerful signs and wonders that Jesus had performed but handed him over to death anyway. But he was proven stronger even than death when God raised him, an event David himself had predicted of the Messiah in the Psalms. Peter and the other disciples are indeed witnesses to this fact.

Psalm

In today’s Psalm David affirms his total commitment to YAHWEH and rejoices in the benefits of so doing. These even extend to victory over the power of the grave.

New Testament

In his first letter St. Peter exults in how the resurrection of Jesus has absolutely secured the believers’ inheritance beyond this life. This fact is a source of deep joy even in times of trials that test the reality of our faith.

Gospel

St. John tells of two post-resurrection appearances of Jesus in which he first bestows peace upon his disciples and then shows them his hands and his side. In the first appearance, on Easter evening, he breathes the Holy Spirit upon them and sends them into the world to continue his mission. In the second, one week later, he convinces a doubting Thomas and then uses the opportunity to especially bless those who come to faith without seeing his risen body.