Readings
Acts 2:14a, 22-32
Following Easter we read from the book of Acts which not only tells of the rise of the early church but also the first reaction to the resurrection by the followers of Jesus. To fit the Christian year we skip the details of the Pentecost episode and begin with Peter’s Sermon immediately after the arrival of the Holy Spirit.
The major thrust of the sermon argues that Jesus fulfils prophesy in Hebrew Scripture which is a feature of the Christian testaments. William Barclay suggests that ‘to believe in the possibility of prophecy is to believe that God is in control and that God is working out the divine purpose’.[1]
What would certainly seem to be true is that the gospel writers looked to find meaning in the life of Jesus through their sacred text and expressed that meaning to their readers through proof texts and allusion. As the Emmaus Road episode illustrates that may also reflect the way the followers of Jesus found meaning in what they had experienced of Jesus. Their heart burned within them as they shared the scripture along the way.
Hear what the spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
John 20:19-31
This is a private transfer of the Holy Spirit which makes a wonderful counterclaim to those Christians who demand proof of our commitment to Christ through a public ‘Pentecostal’ experience of the Holy Spirit.
This episode connects with the first chapter of John’s Gospel where John the Baptist says he saw the Holy Spirit descend on Jesus. As John baptises with water, the reader is told, Jesus will baptise with the Holy Spirit. Now in the locked room the spirit sequence is completed. The Holy Spirit came from God into Jesus at his baptism; the risen Christ is therefore able to pass that Spirit on to the disciples.
Thomas’ doubt in no way inhibits his apostolic mission because there is strong archaeological and mythic evidence that Thomas established a church in India long before the European church was established and even predating the writing of the Gospels.
This is the Gospel of Christ.
Praise to Christ the word.
Sermon
Absolute faith corrupts as absolutely as absolute power.[2]