Allow Apostle Thomas the benefit of the doubt.
In his Gospel, Apostle John demonstrates how it is that Jesus finished the work that He began with His apostles in tow. Clearly the Apostles were followers of, and believers in, Jesus, but still lacked Christ\u2019s knowledge and capacity to serve at the time of His death. It is transparent to us in the message that Jesus is keenly aware that His work in this mortal world is not complete. Jesus appears in human form to assure His apostles that He is still present among them. So today we believe in Christ\u2019s promise that wherever two or more are gathered in His name, He too will be among us. Matt. 18:20. We return to Apostle Thomas. The others saw Jesus\u2019 presence, but Thomas did not. Consider Thomas wants to see the Lord in the flesh once again also. So Jesus appears in Thomas\u2019 designated place. Thomas\u2019 response is Praise in the name of Christ. Let us face this, are not we all sharing in Thomas\u2019 petition? The opportunity to see Christ in the flesh? I am! Jesus does not criticize Thomas, nor will He criticize us! Instead, once more, typical to His teaching style, He messages all of us, Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe. Jn. 20:29. Amen!
In Acts, Luke messages us. Do we view Peter\u2019s message as newly Christ based or traditionally Hebrew based? Yet we all arrive at the witness portion, where standing in time; past, present or future us no longer matters. We are all filled with the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Christ!
Reflecting on today\u2019s reading in Psalms. Proper prayer has form. So does a proper lament. A proper Lament has five elements: 1. an invocation, a cry for help invoking the presence of God; 2. the lament, or complaint, the wrong; 3. a petition, God do this to alleviate the oppression; 4. trust, noting past times when God came to the rescue; and 5. praise, an acknowledgement that God will provide. Let us further explore the concept here.
In today\u2019s reading, Peter sees life after Christ\u2019s resurrection as a new birth. So how do we frame the message of Peter in our lives today? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Doubting](\"https:\/\/blog.peacelcmc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/04\/image-1-300x213.jpeg\")
Scripture:
First Reading
Acts 2:14;\u00a0Acts 2:22-32.
Psalm:
Psalm 16.
New Testament:
1 Peter 1:3-9.
Gospel:
John 20:19-31. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prayer:
Creator of the universe, you made the world in beauty, and restore all things in glory through the victory of Jesus Christ.
We pray that, wherever your image is still disfigured by poverty, sickness, selfishness, war and greed, the new creation in Jesus Christ may appear in justice, love, and peace, to the glory of your name. Amen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prayer Intentions:
O God, your Son remained with his disciples after his resurrection, teaching them to love all people as neighbors.
As his disciples in this age, we offer our prayers on behalf of the universe in which we are privileged to live and our neighbors with whom we share it.
Prayers of the People;
Open our hearts to your power moving around us and between us and within us, until your glory is revealed in our love of both friend and enemy, in communities transformed by justice and compassion, and in the healing of all that is broken. Amen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Apostles Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried; He descended into hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. (Book of Concord). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our Father
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen. (Book of Concord). (Matthew 6:9-13). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Liturgy of the Eucharist <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Handshake of Peace <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Confession
The Apostle John proclaims, If we confess our sins He who is faithful and just will forgive our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9.
Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have sinned against You in thought, word and deed, by what we have done and by what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to the glory of Your holy name. Amen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communion Hymn <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Institution of the Lord’s Supper
Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples, and said, \u201cTake, eat; this is my body.\u201d And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, \u201cDrink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. – Matthew 26:26-28. (ESV). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Communion <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prayer:
Blessed are you, O God of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom we receive the legacy of a living hope, born again not only from his death but also from his resurrection.
May we who have received forgiveness of sins through the Holy Spirit live to set others free, until, at length, we enter the inheritance that is imperishable and unfading, where Christ lives and reigns with you and the same Spirit. Amen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Closing Hymn.
Like the murmur of the dove’s song
Carl P. Daw (1981).
https:\/\/youtu.be\/GEAXJiJ0U8c<\/p>\n\n\n\n