April 22, 2019

Uprising/Rising Up

Susan T. Henry-Crowe | Read Acts of the Apostles 5:27-32

(Image by: Pixabay)

Lectionary Week

April 22–28, 2019

Scripture Overview

After the resurrection of Jesus, the disciples are unable to remain silent. They go to the Temple to proclaim the gospel. Some receive the message, while others do not. This causes turmoil within the community, but the apostles stand firm in their testimony, inspired by the Holy Spirit. Psalm 150 might be on the lips of those early apostles. Everything that has breath should praise the Lord! The author of Revelation recounts a vision that he receives from the risen Jesus Christ, who one day will return as Lord of all nations. In John we learn more about the source of the confidence of the apostles. They have experienced Jesus in the flesh, and this experience gives power to their proclamation of the reality of his resurrection.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Acts 5:27-32. When has your faith compelled you to rise up, stand up, or kneel down in obedience to God rather than earthly authorities?
Read Psalm 150. When have you praised God with great noise? When have you praised God with quiet service to creation?
Read Revelation 1:4-8. How do you see peace arising out of violence in the Bible and in the world around you?
Read John 20:19-31. How have your experiences of witnessing violence or the results of violence helped you to understand that violence does not have the last word?

Respond by posting a prayer.

Anastasis, which means “up” or “rising,” is the ancient Greek word used by Orthodox Christianity for what the churches of Western Christianity call “resurrection.” While the English translation of the word is “resurrection,” anastasis holds a somewhat different understanding from the modern Western Church. The Western Church (rooted in Augustine)...

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Glory to you, Lord Christ; your death we show forth, your resurrection we proclaim, your coming we await. Amen. Come Lord Jesus.

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