It Is Well with My Soul: The Sacred Roots Annual 2022-2023

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T he S eason from E aster to P entecost

WEEK 21 S econd S unday of E aster April 16 - 22, 2023

On Easter Sunday we celebrate the bodily resurrection of Jesus. The same lowly Nazarene – he who was betrayed by his own disciple, who suffered under Pilate’s cruel gaze, who was crucified on a Roman cross, and who was buried in a borrowed tomb – the same Lord rose triumphantly on the third day. Jesus has risen from death to life through the power of God. “Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!”

THIS WEEK’S THEME Jesus Appears to the Disciples, John 20.19-31

On the evening of the day Jesus rose from the dead, on the first day of the week, the disciples were present behind closed and locked doors for fear of the Jews. Jesus came and stood among them, greeting them! He showed them his hands and his side, and the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus then commissioned them, saying that as the Father has sent him, even so he was sending them into the world. Having said these words, Jesus then breathed on them, commissioning them to be his witnesses and representatives. Being absent from this appearance of our Lord, Thomas rejected the disciples’ testimony that they had seen the Lord, and said that he would not believe unless he saw and touched the wounds of the risen Jesus. Eight days later, the disciples were inside, with Thomas present, and though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them, and greeted them, again! Jesus then invited Thomas to examine his hands and side, and exhorted him not to disbelieve, but to believe. Thomas answered our Lord with an exclamation: “My Lord and my God!” Jesus replied to him: “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

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