Parishes of St Philips and All Saints Kew with St Luke’s Kew
Where all God’s children are Welcome
Section 1: Acts 2: 14a, 36-41
Prayer: Loving God, as your Holy Spirit flowed through Peter as he addressed the crowd at Pentecost, so may your Spirit work in us, that we may understand your word, and be able to put it into practice. Amen.
Read the passage through twice:
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
Background
This is the last section of Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost. He has explained who Jesus is, what he did, what happened to him, and the fact that he is now alive. He rounds his sermon off with the ringing statement that Jesus is the Messiah.
Some questions
The transformation in Peter has been quite remarkable – from quivering denial to passionate preacher. How many events have contributed to this change? Enumerate them
The paradox of Christ comes to the fore again, as in last week’s passage. How can the Messiah be killed? What does the title “Lord” mean in this context?
If “Lord” and “Messiah” mean different things, to what do they refer and to whom do they apply? This sermon is being addressed to a Jewish audience, who have a specific understanding of both terms. Peter is bringing the two together in Christ in a way that had never happened before in Messianic texts.
What does this single sentence imply for the basis of our faith? Has Peter gone as far as preaching about the Trinity?
“what shall we do?” is the response that we all need when we understand more about Christ. Does this text take you further in your discipleship?
The required actions are twofold – repent and be baptised – and the benefits are twofold – forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. For what are these people repenting?
What exactly does “in the name of Jesus Christ” mean?
Peter states that the promise of forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit is available across the generations and “to all who are far away” – who are they? And how are they going to understand the phrase “Lord and Messiah”?
“everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him” – does this mean everyone or a select few?
Did everyone in the crowd respond positively to Peter’s preaching?
What will have been the repercussions of this level of response?
Read the passage through again, out loud if possible
Review
What has this passage taught you about
God?
Jesus Christ?
The Church?
Our current situation?
Prayer: God of all grace and mercy, we rejoice in our salvation, that the promise you made at Pentecost through Peter still holds good for us today. Help us to live as your children, servants of the King of kings, and lights in a dark world. Amen
Section 2: 1 Peter 1: 17-23
Prayer: Loving God, show us your new way of life, that we may live as you intend us to live, and love as you love us. Amen
Read the passage through twice:
Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors,but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
Background
The writer of this general letter to the churches in (what is now) Northern Turkey develops his argument in practical ways. We have been redeemed by a loving God through his Son, Jesus Christ. Power to live a new life can be found in Christ’s resurrection, and that new life calls us into the way of love.
Some questions
This passage is rich in imagery, but many of the images are surprisingly paired eg. “… a Father who judges…”, “..purified yourselves by obeying the truth..”, “… born again… of imperishable seed…”
The writer also juxtaposes common notions of value with concepts of spiritual value eg. “… perishable things such as silver or gold… …precious blood of Christ …” , “… born again… through the living and enduring word of God.”
Old vs new, former ways vs God’s way – does this make sense?
What does the writer mean by “live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.”? Foreigners to whom or what? Are we no longer in our own country? And why “fear”? And how are we supposed to do this?
“love one another deeply” is an extraordinary gloss on Jesus’s command to love one another – does it resonate with you? Is it helpful? And how practical is it?
Can we love everyone in the Church – for that is what the writer means – in this way? To love them we have to know them, to know them we have to spend time with them – how do we do this in today’s world?
And yet it is deeply practical, especially in these days of lockdown and self-isolation – how to love “from the heart” people with whom we cannot have normal contact – how are we going to adapt our Christian concept of love with the practicalities of social distancing?
Is the Christian community to which you belong made up of people who love each other deeply? If not, why not, and if it is, how can that be extended?
Review
What has this passage taught you about
God?
Jesus Christ?
The Church?
Our current situation?
Prayer: God of redemption and love, teach us to love as you love us, and to be practical in our working out of our faith, for the growth of your Church and the glory of your holy name. Amen
Section 3: Luke 24: 13-35
Prayer: Open our hearts, Lord Jesus,to your words of love and grace. Help us as we read and study to hear you speaking to us, today. Amen
Read the passage through twice:
Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him. He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. One of them, named Cleopas, asked him,
“Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” “What things?” he asked. “About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight.
They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled togetherand saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
Background
This story happens on the day of resurrection. Luke has recounted how the women had come to the tomb early in the morning and found it empty. Two angels had told them that Christ had risen, so they went and told the disciples. They didn’t believe the women, but Peter did run to the tomb to double check their story, and found it as the women had said. He then returned home “amazed.” The phrase “the two of them” who were making the journey to Emmaus refers to two from the group of disciples.
Some questions
Why were these two travelling home when the rest of the disciples were staying put in Jerusalem?
Why didn’t these two recognise Jesus as he joined them as they walked? Was something different about him? Or were they simply not in a frame of mind to see who it was?
“… these things” that these two are discussing are all the events from Palm Sunday to the discovery of the empty tomb. They are trying to make sense of all that had happened, most of which they had participated in. What are the sticking points in the narrative for them? Which events don’t they understand?
These two travellers cannot see the long-term outcome of everything that has happened – they need Jesus to help to understand that. Jesus tees up the story for them to relate – how accurate a summary of the events of Holy Week and Easter is it? What have they included? What have they left out?
There are several books which seek to find references to Christ throughout the entire Old Testament. They tend to be quite long books. Had Jesus finished his summary of Messianic Scripture after the 7 mile journey?
Jesus seems to have some other destination to which he is heading, but the disciples persuade him to enter their house. Are there any other examples of Jesus being persuaded to do something by his friends or the people he meets? It is usually the other way round – Jesus persuading others to change their ways.
In Jewish household, a guest is always asked to say the pre-meal prayers, which are accompanied by a ritual breaking of bread. This is why it is Jesus who performs this ritual, not the host. After all that has been said, why is it this ancient tradition that opens these disciples eyes to who this visitor is?
Why did Jesus disappear? Would it not have been better for the disciples to be able to talk things through with Jesus?
“it is nearly evening; the day is almost over” the disciples had said to the stranger, and yet when they recognise him as Jesus, they rush back the 7 miles to Jerusalem to tell their friends. Would you have done that, or waited until the next morning?
Why had the risen Jesus appeared to Simon as well as these two?
Why did they all now believe that Jesus was indeed risen, after both Simon and these two disciples had met him? What has made the difference?
This is a beautifully crafted narrative. There is speech and reported speech, ignorance and knowledge turned on their heads (those who thought they knew the story turned out not to), mystery and revelation in broken bread. There is travel and welcome, tradition and new ritual, Messiah explained and Messiah revealed in the new covenant. Why did Luke lavish so much craft on this particular part of his story?
Which aspects of the risen Jesus appeal to you particularly? His gentleness? His ease of explanation? His grace and generosity? His mystery? His sacramental presence?
Is divine love visible in this story?
As sacraments are not possible today, and gatherings to worship and listen to God’s word are not allowed, what does this story have to offer for us today?
What sort of resurrection do we need, given the current circumstances?
Review
What has this passage taught you about
God?
Jesus Christ?
The Church?
Our current situation?
Prayer: Living God, open our eyes a we read your word. Open our ears as we listen to your word. May our hearts burn within us as you explain your ways to us. Amen
I was very interested to read Richard Everett’s moving poem, which Michael shared with us on Tuesday in so timely a fashion. I think a lot of us are probably feeling like this just at the moment. The Coronavirus lockdown seems to continue with little real hope of a resolution in the short term. We are in a place we have never been before and we need comfort and assurance – and a hug as well!! Over the last two thousand years, the World has gone through many horrible times – everything from plague to War. I am sure that many of my grandparents’s generation must have asked where God was during the two World Wars and the Spanish flu epidemic. Just as the families of our own intrepid front-line health care staff must be asking when their relatives have gone down with, and in some cases died, from COVID
Our thoughts and prayers are with them. In my sermon next Sunday, I will conclude with the words of Jesus just before the Ascension. “And be assured, I am with you always to the end of time”. It is not always easy to appreciate this promise, but as Christians it is a fundamental part of our faith. Jesus is always there, even if sometimes it may not be too immediately obvious. As I look at the pictures in the media of people not obeying the social distancing rules and thus risking their own health and that of others, I think of the people of Eyam in Derbyshire. Eyam became known as the plague village, because in 1665, when bubonic plague broke out in the village, the entire population got together and agreed, under the guidance of their Rector, to close the village. They agreed to go into self-imposed quarantine and not allow anyone into or out of the village to contain the plague. For as long as it took. They stayed like this for fourteen months and two hundred and sixty people died, which was about three quarters of the population. They must have wondered where God was, but their faith held firm and they did their duty and many people in the area were saved by their selflessness. I sincerely hope that the Coronavirus pandemic does not last for anywhere near as long as fourteen months. But the example of these folk over three hundred years ago – of their faith and concern for others should be an inspiration to us as we continue to go through worrying and depressing times. And, while rejoicing in the promise that Jesus is with us always, it is still okay to scream if you want to!!
Today I would like to share with you a poem that my sister-in-law sent me that had been used in their church over the Easter period.
It was written by Richard Everett a member of their church, and I have been given his permission to share it with you.
I also enclose a little bit about Richard, I found his poem very ‘thought provoking’, maybe you will also.
Stay safe,
Michael.
Where Are You? Sometimes you seem so distant So far away So out of reach We talk of an intimate walk with you We speak of our close relationship We proclaim a gospel of your Presence – Emmanuel – God with us And yet, and yet At times like this Like now Like right now I ask: Where are you? Because this is when it matters This is when it counts This is when I need to know You’re real And feel The power of your Presence The presence of your power And the strength of your love But I scrabble around in scripture In search of a picture A word A verse A holy crumb of comfort from your table To enable me to say: ‘Ah, yes. How timely. All is well.’ I tell myself to look around me To see your hand at work I tell myself to ponder And pray And listen for your voice I tell myself a thousand times To watch and wait and hear And believe you are near And not far away.
Richard Everett is an actor, playwright and screenwriter. He is the author of 7 published stage plays including the much acclaimed “Entertaining Angels” which has had over 100 productions worldwide.
Almighty God, to whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hidden: cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession:
Christ died to sin once for all, and now lives to God. Let us renew our resolve to have done with all that is evil and confess our sins in penitence and faith.
Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.
Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
.
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Let us pray
Almighty God, you have given your only Son to die for our sins and to rise again for our justification:
Grant us so to put away the leaven of malice and wickedness that we may always serve you in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Acts 2, 22-32
Acts 2:22-32
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23 This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him:
“‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, you will not let your holy one see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’
29 “Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.
This is the Word of the Lord Thanks be to God.
1 Peter 1: 3-9
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you,who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John
Glory to you, O Lord.
John 20: 19-end
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” 24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Sermon from Michael Tonkin
“Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20.29)
One of the saddest aspects of this present Pandemic is the fact that it forces so many people to be alone; to ‘self isolate’, either on their own or with a partner, and for so many to die alone away from family and friends. I read of one lady whose husband was taken to hospital, and into isolation where he later died, the saddest thing, the lady said, was that she no longer had anyone to cuddle.
We are by nature a homogeneous animal, it is in our DNA to gather together and to seek comfort from one another, probably as the disciples were doing in that locked room where they had gathered.
We also heard, in the Gospel Reading from Easter Sunday, how Mary Magdalene, on realizing that, who she thought was the gardener, was actually Jesus, at once went to hold on to him. ‘Jesus said to her, ”Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father.”’
Then, of course there is poor old Thomas, who I must say I always feel a little sorry for. He knew that Jesus, the one who he had faithfully followed for years, had been crucified by the Romans, had died and been placed in a tomb, and yet now he was to believe that he had suddenly turned up in a locked room with his companions. Well, would you have believed it? Yet it was true, and again there had to be that physical proof, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Here the very physical evidence that Thomas had asked for.
There is also that wonderful moment, on that first visit, when Jesus breathes on those gathered disciples, passing on to them the Holy Spirit. As in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, that same Holy Spirit they would receive again at Pentecost, that empowered them, to leave their locked room and go out and face the crowds and tell the Gospel story.
It is a Gospel story that has travelled through time and across the world touching millions of lives. Bringing hope where there has only been despair, bringing healing and love, when all was thought to be darkness and pain. In many ways, in countless parts of our world today, there are many feeling helpless, alone and often unloved. Yet we know as Christians, as others of different faiths also know, there will always be one who loves us, walks with us and holds on to us very tightly. For as Peter wrote in his first letter to the early church; “Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.“
So even in those darkest of times, when there maybe few or even no one at our side, if we have our faith, and hold on very tightly to that, then we will truly never be alone. Amen
Dearest Lord, let us give thanks for a beautiful Spring, as we pray fo rour troubled and ailing world. We know that your love will always be there for us. May we reach out to you and feel your presence, always, in times of peace, sickness, danger and death.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer
We pray for churches throught the world, and give thanks for Peter’s minstry and all who work for our church, which, sadly, is empty but lives within our hearts. Let us pray also for our sister churches, for Justin Welby, Pope Francis and Bishop Cleopas of Matabeleland and for the Green Park School in Zambia.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer
Bless and guide Elizabeth our Queen, and let us give thanks for he rloyalty and devotion to this country and to God. We pray for those in authority. Please guide our government to protect and love our people and to help us all as we struggle through turbulent times uintil we reach calmer waters.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer
Let us pray for the world and all those suffering from Corona Virus and other diseases, for the refugees, who suffer from poverty and fear. May hatred and jealousy be a victim of the virus. May your love triumph.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer
We pray for families, friends and nighbours. We ppray for those we love, who are near of far. Let us give thanks for our NHS and all who work to heal and care for our people. Please guard them as the fight to save lives. Let us not forget soldiers, firefighters and police: those who work in supermarkets, pharmacies and some schools. And thank you for those who take our refuse and keep our streets clean.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer
Let us protect all children. We pray for those who are abused, lost and suffering. Let us pray also for those suffering from depression, loneliness, psychiatric and serious medical conditions. Please guard the frail and the elderly who are cut off from their families and friends.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer
We pray for our planet and hope that when this crisis is over, we may be able to wrk towards healing our beautiful world.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit. We give thanks for the recovery of Serge Lourie, and we remember especially Alan Hay, Annie Kunz, Juliet Low, Lisa McTaggart, Joan Pritchard, Johanna Proctor, Kevin Willoughby and Max Weston.
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer
Let us pray for those who have died, in this country and throughout the world. We pray for those who mourn. May we be strengthened by your love and consolation. We remember Juliet Daly, Mary Allman, Shelagh Cochrane, Mary Smith (Judith Colliver’s mother), and a family friend, Yasmin Van Den Benken
Lord, in your mercy, Hear our prayer
Dearest Lord,
We pray for healing, love and peace:
In our hearts
In our homes
In our nation
In our world
The healing, love and peace of your will;
The healing, love and peace of our need.
Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
The Peace
The risen Christ came and stood among his disciples and said, “Peace be with you.” Then they were glad when they saw the Lord, Alelluia. The peace of the Lord be always with you: and also with you.
Be present, be present, Lord Jesus Christ, Our risen high priest;
It is indeed right , our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give you thanks, almighty and eternal Father, and in these days of Easter to celebrate with joyful hearts the memory of your wonderful works. For by the mystery of his passion, Jesus Christ, your risen Son, has conquered the powers of death and hell and restored to women and men the image of your glory. He has placed us once more in paradise and opened to us the gate of life eternal. And so, in the joy of this Passover, earth and heaven resound with gladness, while angels and archangels and the powers of all creation sing for ever the hymn of your glory.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
As our Saviour taught us, so we pray
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the eternal covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God almighty, + the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
On the evening of the first Easter Sunday, the risen Jesus joined his disciples in the room where they were hiding. They were so excited to see that Jesus was alive. One of the disciples, Thomas, wasn’t with them that evening, and he wouldn’t believe what his friends were saying. “I need to see the injuries made by the nails,“ he said, “and only then will I believe.” The following Sunday, Thomas made sure he was with the disciples. Again, Jesus came into the room, and said to Thomas, “Thomas, it’s me. Come and see the marks of the nails in my hands and feet.” But Thomas could only reply, “My Lord and my God.” Jesus said to him, “You have believed, Thomas, because you have seen. People who have not seen and yet still believe are very blessed.”
Fr Peter writes:
I’m still here! We haven’t left yet, because of the corona virus lockdown. I think these times are very strange, and they must be for all of us. No school, no going to work, only allowed out of the house once a day, and all for something that we can’t see. We have had lovely sunshine, playing outside has never been better, but we have to be careful not to get infected and not to infect others. We have been told that there is a very dangerous virus, and we must preserve our lives and the lives of others by staying at home. We could say that we don’t believe what the doctors and scientists are saying, because we can’t see this virus. But we do believe them, and so we observe the social distancing rules. We can’t see the risen Jesus, but we know that he is alive, and with us now. Let’s be really glad about that, and thank him for loving us so much.
Find the ten words in the word cloud that appear in today’s Bible story.
Read these statements and see if you think they are true or false:
1. A cycle helmet has been inspired by a woodpecker.
2. It would have taken 2.5 million seagulls to lift James’s giant peach (not 501 as in the story).
3. It is easier to pick up wet things with our wrinkled fingers from the bath.
4. 6 x 8 is the multiplication sum most children get wrong.
5. Sniffer rabbits have been used to find people in collapsed buildings.
6. Nervous dogs wag their tails to the left, happy dogs to the right.
7. The average British garden is home to 20,000 slugs.
8. The word ‘clue’ originally meant a ball of thread or yarn.
9. A tyrannosaurus had teeth the size of bananas.
10. Some birds bury their eggs in sand or soil near volcanoes to keep them warm.
They are all true!
1. The Royal College of Art designed a cycle helmet based on the “shock absorber” structure of a woodpecker’s skull.
2. Some university physics students proved that it would take many more seagulls to move a peach the size of a small house.
3. Scientists have stated that we have fingers like wrinkled prunes after a bath for just this purpose!
4. Nobody really knows why but there you are … did you get it right?
5. Unlikely though it may seem … it was reported by the BBC, OK?
6. An Italian university has discovered this – and Father Peter says this is the case with his dog, Cassie – so it must be true!
7. Sinister but true … how do they count them all?
8. Yes, according to the Oxford English Dictionary.
9. Scary or what? They had smaller teeth, too, so that’s OK.
10 National Geographic reports that the Maleo bird does this.
This morning’s Gospel reading has inspired many works of art and literature: we can all identify easily with Thomas’s initial response to the message of the resurrection. Here are some poems which have a particular relevance to this week’s Gospel.
