2nd Sunday of Easter

Our readings for 2nd Sunday of Easter (AKA Divine Mercy Sunday) are:

1. Acts 15: 12-16
   
2. Psalms 118: 2-4, 13-15, 22-24
   
3. Revelation 1: 9-11a, 12-13, 17-19
   
4. John 20: 19-31
   

• Continuity
  
• Throughout history, there have been many personality cults spring up.  George Washington desperately wanted to be sure that the United States would continue without him, that this form of government, this people was bigger than he was, would continue on without him.  Jesus wanted that for His Church as well.
• Looking at the Scriptures and other sources that we have from the early days of the Church, what would you say has changed about the mission of the Church in these two millennia?
• What has not?
• What would you say has changed about Christians over that time?
• What has not?
• Should those things have changed?
  

• Enduring mercy
  
• Mercy isn't mercy if it changes its mind.  Deciding to forgive you today for something, knowing that I might reverse that decision later is a very different proposition from deciding to forgive you for good.
• Where have you been in a position to show mercy lately?
• What would the merciful action have been in that case?
• Did they deserve such mercy?
• Does it matter?
  

• Do not be afraid
  
• I'm told that we only have two fears at birth: fear of falling and fear of drowning.  The rest of our fears are learned.  If you catalog all of your fears, large and small, I think you'll be impressed by how busy you've been learning to fear all of those things in the short time that you've been on this planet.  Yet Jesus tells us not to fear.
• What are some of your fears?
• Why do you have those fears?
• Do you think that fear is of God?

• Triumph in our wounds
  
• I chose Thomas as my Confirmation name because I always felt a kinship with him.  Down to earth, practical, sometimes fatalistic even.  I hope that I can be as resolute as Thomas was.
• Why do you think that Jesus still has His wounds?
• Are all of his wounds external?
• If we bear our wounds into eternity, what does that tell us about eternity?
• What does that tell us about our woundedness?
• Do you think that Jesus walks with a limp from having that spear in his side?
  

• Preparation for Reconciliation

1. How/where can I share God's goodness?
2. How/where can I show more mercy to others, to myself?
3. How is God transforming ?
4. Where is God resurrecting me through my wounds?

Shalom and a blessed Easter to you!