Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Queerying Easter 2B

Rev. Emily E. Ewing queeries the Acts reading.
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. 

ID: a reference to Caravaggio's painting "The Incredulity of St. Thomas." Image shows four Black men. One, Jesus, is pulling down his tunic to reveal his wounded side and hand. Another, Thomas, is in the foreground examining the wound and sticking his pointer finger into it. Two other disciples watch behind Thomas, looking over his shoulder.
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?
 
 





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