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During these few weekends after Easter, we’re being confronted by the stories about the Risen Christ. These old stories remind us that God’s strength in raising Jesus continues in his disciples–and us. They also acknowledge that God is working in areas which might surprise us, using people who are themselves surprising to spread the Good News.

The first story is about the conversion of Saul/Paul, ACTS 9:1-20. But this is about GOD’s power, expressed here through Paul and his company. We especially like Ananias, whom God sent to expedite the occasion: he said, “WHAT?!? You want me to go see this guy who’s after us?” And God replied, “Yep, I’ve decided to use this fellow to help change the lives of many, even into the 21st Century!” Some commentators point out that it’s a matter of Holy Light: first Paul is blinded by it, then he sees with the release of his former life–and then he dedicates himself to spreading this Light as a new way of seeing.

REVELATION 5:11-14 is not really a “story” but is a vision, cast in the throne room of God. The first part extols Jesus as the sacrificial Lamb, worthy of ruling over God’s Kingdom and unlocking the future of holy living. Then we move to the praise of God, “every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea” singing of celestial glory. Who are these who worship? The easy answer is, “The Church”; but even more, this praising community is made of those who’re least likely to be considered “Good”, those who’ve been separated on Earth by artificial boundaries.

JOHN 21:1-19 is an epilogue to the main Gospel, where Jesus throws a Barbecue on the Beach. Peter & Company have been fishing, not knowing what else to do. But in the growing light, Jesus stands on the beach; the disciples don’t recognize him yet. “Have you caught any fish?” “(grumble, grumble)” “Then throw your net on the OTHER side of the boat (oy, vey, what’m I gonna do with these guys?)” The upshot is that the disciples finally realized that they were seeing the risen Christ… This whole story reminds me of the CALLING of the fishermen at the start of Jesus’ ministry: were they starting again?

So where have we seen Jesus but haven’t recognized him? Will his clothes glow with Heaven, or will they look like any other down-and-out wardrobe? Are we surprised when someone says, “Y’know, I think God was here!” The Psalm for the day, Psalm 30, concludes, “You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise you and not be silent.” Where have you seen Jesus today?

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Come join us every Tuesday to be met by scripture readings from the Revised Common Lectionary for the upcoming weekend; at horacebrownking.com

The low attendance and participation at worship services brings us to an obvious conclusion: most people will pay lip-service to a faraway God, but run like anything when this God shows up on their doorstep! Lessons to be heard on this Second Sunday after Easter remind us that a pro-active God continues to pitch God’s tent in our backyard. How will I acknowledge that God’s here?

ACTS 5:27-32 continues the story of Peter & John, who have been arrested for preaching in Jerusalem about the Lordship of Jesus. (Readers should try to put this into context, which is all of Chapter 5.) Their challenge–our challenge–is to discern how to obey God rather than the System. This is no easy task, because the voices of the System are loud and strident and widely accepted as the Way Things Are. Can we do this successfully without harming others? Now that my life is just about over, what shall I risk of all my hard-earned perks?

We turn also to the beginning of the Book of REVELATION 1:4-8. This is the start of the message of John of Patmos (not the disciple/evangelist) to the community in the Mediterranean area which affirms their ideas of the Presence of God. In this pericope, the author tries to tell his audience that Jesus is not only REAL, but involved in their daily lives: “Look! He is coming with the clouds…” and that coming is to straighten out the bent part of this world. The question remains of his immanence: When? and has he already come? Or is this coming a daily thing which has influenced our ancestors and will influence us and our descendants?

It’s traditional, this Second Sunday, to read the story of “doubting Thomas”, JOHN 20:19-31. Actually, it’s the story of God’s breaking in–again!–to the lives of God’s People. This year, I’d like to lift up the idea of Jesus’ presence even though the doors were locked. What locks are on YOUR doors? Are they there out of fear of “the Jews” (the System)? Why can’t people, even GOD’s people, expect that the Holy Presence will be among them, encouraging their risk, sending them into the rest of the earth with the News that we are not condemned? Perhaps it’s more comfortable for us to accept that we’re really tarnished beyond salvation, and live accordingly…

Worship on this Sunday after Easter will be low in attendance. Very few of us will catch a glimpse of the resurrected Jesus, because it’s more convenient to let him stay in the grave. But he hasn’t.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

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Kay Medicine Bull, writing in the newsletter from Heritage Living Center, says, “From political unrest to devastating wildfires and unprecedented plane crashes, it seems the world is shifting in ways we never expected. Inflation continues to rise, and many are struggling with job security, making it harder to afford even basic necessities.” Each day we’re bombarded with news of illegal deportations and unwise ecological choices. Dare we really celebrate Easter?

ISAIAH writes to returned exiles from Babylon (65:17-25) whose lives are in chaos: “For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth; the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.” The newness of course for Christians is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Even predators will exist on fodder, and children will be born with the expectation of Life. Who woulda thought? This newness will do away with evil and sordidness, and the hoped-for longevity will be common.

ACTS 10:34-43 is Peter’s declaration of the resurrection of Jesus to Cornelius and friends, a group of Gentiles. This is the centrality of Easter, and indeed all of the Christian Life. Before Easter, the idea of peace and tranquility was absurd–but now? More than for merely the Jewish returnees from Babylon, the possibility of new things was for all!

JOHN 20:1-10 is the story of two guys who didn’t expect to see the Living Jesus. Running to the tomb where they had last seen him, they peeked in and didn’t find him. There are those (many?) this Easter morning who don’t expect to see the Living Jesus. They’ll peek in, but then slowly shake their heads and go back to their usual business. Can ANYone believe, almost 2000 years after the fact?

The Church grows smaller, day by day, yet ever more insistent that Jesus was resurrected for even the selfish and the ingrown. You and I are called to believe the story is true, and to live as though the Lord is risen…He is Risen Indeed!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Come join us every Tuesday to be explored by the Revised Common Lectionary scriptures assigned to the upcoming weekend–at horacebrownking.com

Palm Sunday brings a whole lot of options to the Biblical scholar. One of those is the political dimension: the people of Jerusalem and environs had been subjugated by the Romans for the last century and a half, and they had had it. They were ready to welcome ANYone who looked like the Messiah of Davidic times. Palm branches had significance for those who remembered Maccabean days: the palm and its branches were talismen of the “new” kingdom which put aside the Syrians and tried to restore the relative calmness of the Greeks. (Coins of the Maccabean period often featured palm branches.)

Psalm 118:19-29 is a psalm of ascents, to be sung/recited on the way up Mt. Zion to the Temple: “Bind the festal procession with branches…” Back in The Day (of David?) it was necessary to negate the laments of every day with shouts of hope and praise. “O give thanks to the Lord, for (God) is good, for (God’s) steadfast love endures forever.” As the worshiper approaches the altar, he/she is recognized as One Who Comes in the name of the Lord, blessed in intent and profession.

LUKE 19:28-40 is one retelling of the Triumphant Entry; notice that no palms or branches are mentioned here. The writer evidently sees this parade as a contrast to business-as-usual, more than a statement of Messiahship (see Matthew’s account). Here is the humble Jesus, riding a farm animal against the military pomp and strength of Rome. We who see this story in retrospect can claim it as God’s use of the alternative; those of the early Church were called to either embrace or deny the Lordship of Jesus as here presented. Those who sit in the pews this year are urged to choose this leader against the System of having/owning which so dominates our politics of today.

The message of Palm Sunday is this: that God’s way endures, be it ever so simple. No matter what idiot is in the White House, no matter who rattles rockets at us, no matter that we’re being told every day that my Social Security will be chopped off–God’s way endures. Thanks be to God!

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Come join us every Tuesday as we together unpack scripture lessons assigned by the Common Lectionary to the upcoming weekend–at horacebrownking.com

Laura S. Mendenhall, in FEASTING on the WORD (C 2:134): “Lent is…a time to set aside distractions in order to focus on our relationship with God and with Christ’s Church, a time to let the Holy Spirit work on us in order to remold us into the image of God as individuals and as the body of Christ….During Lent we look again at what shapes our identity and gives us security…” Scripture passages to be read this weekend confront us with the eternity of Grace and the responsibility of living as God’s person.

The Prophet ISAIAH addresses the barriers which exist between God’s perfection and our own wilderness. In 43:16-21 he writes encouragement to those exiled in Babylon, now on the brink of returning to what they think they remember. To land-locked Jews, he points out that the Sea has been a life-shaper, and that even in the desert there will be rivers of life. But what about the barriers which enslave us today? God is “about to do a new thing” for each of us by helping us across the barriers of old history… Does that mean giving up our past? What ancient goods do we keep in storage? Why?

St. Paul writes to the PHILIPPIANS (3:4-14) that although born “rich” he is now throwing it all away, consigning as rubbish “the vain things that charmed us most” in order to make room in his life for knowing/participating in Christ. “Trusting solely in God’s grace, we give up past certainty for future hope.” (Mendenhall, ibid., 136) Where is God bringing resurrection even today? And do we shy away from the suffering which precludes it?

The Gospel lesson is a story told only in JOHN (12:1-8), where Mary (sister to Martha & Lazarus) anoints Jesus’ feet and wipes them with her hair. Is this also a part of God’s New Thing? Jesus is preparing for his revelation through resurrection, certainly an alternative to death as usual. Lazarus is present because he’s already done the trip; Mary rejoices in promised life, and spares no cost in announcing this New Thing. Her action came in the midst of a System promulgated on consuming resources and celebrating what WAS, not that which is to come.

I confess that I’m a person who admires the Past, and deals in the Good in which I was brought up. I mourn Today’s Wealth–although I enjoy modern things and snazzy inventions… Can I throw away all that I am–should I?–in order to make room for that which is to come? Questions about my possessions continue to haunt me… Should I change my name as Saul/Paul did? In all of it, I hope to receive this New Thing which God is about to do, and is already doing.

In the process of unfolding, Horace Brown King

Join us each Tuesday to explore the scriptural passages assigned by the Common Lectionary to the upcoming weekend: at horacebrownking.com

does that mean giving up our past?