2nd Sunday of Easter

Year B:  April 15, 2012

First Reading:  Acts 4:32-35

What Zeesie Saw on Delancey Street by Elsa Okon Rael

(Written for ages 7-11)

Comment: “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… and it was distributed to each as any had need.” The image of a community sharing so fully with one another is one we would typically hold up as idealistic.  Zeesie’s story is one of a community caring for one another in a similar way. Through her experience at the package party she learn about the powerful gift of giving when you can and taking when you need. Above all she experiences the love, care, and sharing that are present in her immigrant community. Samuel E. Balentine suggests that “caring  for one another in ways that secure the fullness of life God intends” embodies the redemptive truth of the resurrection. (Feasting on the Word, Year B, Volume 2, p 387)

Second Reading: 1 John 1:1-2:2

Three by the Sea by Mini Grey

(Written for ages 4-8)

Comment: “…if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another…” God’s grace is not simply a gift for us as individuals, but a gift of transformation for our entire community. When we live in the light, we live as a people transformed, as those who have fellowship with God, Jesus, and one another. In many ways, God’s light is like the winds of change in Three by the Sea. After the winds of change company salesman leaves Cat, Mouse, and Dog, they have a deeper fellowship with one another. Likewise, our experience of God’s grace will alter the way we live and work with one another.

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-31

The Moonbow of Mr. B Bones by Patrick Lewis

(Written for ages 5-9)

Comment: “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.” Often Thomas gets a tough rap in our tradition for his doubt, but it’s something we should all be able to understand. Thomas is not the first or last person to follow the rule that seeing is believing. In Lewis’ story, we have a doubting Tommy. Because he can’t see anything in the jar he purchases from Mr. B. Bones, Tommy’s convinced nothing is there. Once Tommy sees the moonbow, he’s a believer for life, and “lives to tell the story best”.  In our gospel, Thomas has a similar experience when he sees the risen Lord with his own eyes. He is then quick to proclaim, “My Lord and my God!”

This week’s Lectionary Links post was written by regular contributor Noell Rathbun-Cook.

Lectionary Links: Sunday, April 15, 2012 by Storypath is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.