κήρυξον τὸν λόγον

[Introduction] On the night Jesus was betrayed, his disciples failed to pray. They fell into temptation. They abandoned him. They denied him. Of the twelve, only John was named as seeing Jesus nailed to a cross, bleeding and dying as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Though they had spent almost every waking moment for three years with Jesus, they blew it.  It’s kind of nice to know that these pillars of the church were just as weak and feeble in heart and mind as we are. Even after hearing that ... Hallelujah! He is Risen! ... the disciples were confused and afraid.  This is why, dear brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus died and rose again. We too become confused and afraid ... easily I might add. But by his body and blood, Jesus has given us peace. In his perfect love of laying down his life for your sins, he casts out all fear. The marks of the nails in his hands and the gash in his side bear the proof that he indeed was bruised for our iniquities and ...

Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them: Peace to you. And when he said this, he showed [his] hands and [his] side. Then, the disciples rejoiced (vv 19b-20a). I hear the same answer all too often. When asked, “What’s the Gospel?” ... too many of us will respond by saying simply, “Jesus died for me.” To which I am compelled to respond, “What’s good about that?  Brothers and sisters in Christ, Jesus isn’t dead!  BELIEVE THE GOSPEL! HE’S RISEN! HE IS RISEN, INDEED! HALLELUJAH! THIS IS THE VICTORY THAT HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD. While it’s true and extremely important that you know that Jesus died on the cross for you, sacrificing himself for not just your sins but for those of the entire world, it is equally important to remember and to proclaim that he is risen! As Saint Paul reminds us, For I gave to you in priority what I also received, that Christ died on behalf of our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third da...

This morning’s Gospel reading is traditional for the Sunday after Easter. It wouldn’t matter which lectionary we used. Every year, on the Second Sunday of Easter, we hear about these two occasions that Jesus appeared to the disciples in the locked upper room. The disciples had all gathered there in fear ... Undoubtedly the fear of what would happen if people realized they were now Christians, followers of Jesus. They saw what happened to Jesus. They beat him. They mocked him. They falsely accused him. They crucified him. The same can happen to us , they undoubtedly said to each other. We have to keep this to ourselves.   But suddenly, Jesus came into their midst. He appeared in the middle of the room and declared peace to them ...  the peace of forgiveness. You are forgiven for denying and doubting. You are forgiven for fleeing. You are forgiven.  Thomas was missing the first time this happened. When he heard the news, he doubted what everyone had told him: He is risen! H...