Queerying Easter 2B

Rev. Emily E. Ewing queeries the Acts reading.

Inclusion does not = equity.

Diversity does not = justice.

Tolerance does not = love.

— Be A King (@BerniceKing) April 6, 2021

First Reading: Acts 4:32-35

³²Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. ³³With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Leader Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. ³⁴There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. ³⁵They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

 

Queeries for the text:

How is a whole group of one heart and soul? Were they really?

What happens without private ownership?

What do we hold in common?  What don't we?

What else happens with great power and great grace?

What do Jesus' words mean without needy?

What happens when lands and houses are sold?

 

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Guest queerier, Pace Warfield-May, queeries the Gospel reading. 

Gospel: John 20:19-31
¹⁹When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where Jesus’ chosen family had met were locked for fear of the authorities, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace and wholeness be with you." ²⁰After They said this, They showed them Their hands and Their side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Leader. ₂₁Jesus said to them again, "Peace and wholeness be with you. As the Caretaker has sent me, so I am sending you." ²²When They had said this, They breathed on the chosen family and said to them, "Receive the Holy Breath. ²³If you let go of the sins of any, they are let go; if you hold on to the sins of any, they are held on to."

²⁴But Thomas (who was nicknamed the Twin), one of the twelve, was notpwith them when Jesus came. ²⁵So the other chosen family members told him, "We have seen the Leader." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe."

²⁶A week later Jesus’ chosen family was gathered again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace and wholeness be with you." ²⁷Then They said to Thomas, "Put your finger here, and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my wounded side. Do not doubt but believe." ²⁸Thomas answered Them, "My Leader and my God!" ²⁹Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

³⁰Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of Their chosen family, which are not written in this book. ³¹But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Anointed One, the Child of God, and that through believing you may have life in Their name.

Queries for the Text:
What is the role of skepticism? What is the value in questioning?
Doubting Thomas or conditional Thomas?
Why did Jesus say “Peace and wholeness be with you?”
How do we address antisemitism in passages like this?
How is disability present in this story?

What are your queeries?