A Mystery, Peace, and Blessing

Sunday, April 11 is

the 2nd Sunday of Easter

Here are the readings appointed for today:

https://episcopalchurch.org/lectionary/easter-2a

Welcome to St James' Online Sunday School!

What we're wondering about: "A Mystery, Peace, and Blessing"

One night soon after Jesus died, a group of his friends - the disciples - got together. They locked the doors of the room so no one could come or go. But suddenly, there was Jesus, in the room with them! What a mystery!

Jesus said, "Peace be with you." He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit." And he talked with them. Jesus helped them to understand the words of the Bible, and he ate some fish, too.

Then - as suddenly and mysteriously as he had come to be there, Jesus was not there. The doors were still locked. (If you had been there, how would you have felt?)

Thomas, one of Jesus' friends, was not with the disciples when this happened. Later, they told Thomas, speaking with excitement and wonder, that Jesus had joined them in a locked room, and all the things Jesus had said and done that night.

But Thomas said No! He could not - would not! - believe anything they told him, unless he saw Jesus with his own eyes, and touched with his own hand Jesus' wounds (the hurts that had been made on Jesus' body the day that he died).

A week later the disciples met again in the house, and this time, Thomas was with them. The doors were shut tight and locked, like before. And suddenly, Jesus was there with them - again! - and Jesus said, "Peace be with you."

Jesus put out his hands, wounded when he died, and said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands." Then Jesus showed Thomas the place where he had been hurt on his side, on the day that he died. "Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe."

Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!"

Jesus said to Thomas, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe."

The Bible tells us that this story has been written down so no one will ever forget it, and so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that, through believing, you may have life in Jesus' name.

You are welcome to the circle! Listen, watch, & wonder about this story: click here.

Now Thomas has a nickname, Doubting Thomas.

What is doubt? Some things are true, even if we can't see them or understand why.

How do you feel about doubting, and believing? What happens if we doubt?

What happens when we believe?

Here's a quick game: Click here for seven true/false animal questions.

Raise your hand if you think it's true; cross your arms if you doubt it.

Do you have a deck of cards? Share some fun! Play "I Doubt It" - click here for the easy rules.

Seeing is believing!

That's what Thomas would say.

Let's test all our senses: while you're not looking, have someone hide an object in a bag.

If you shake the bag, can you figure out what's inside just by listening? Put your hand in, and see if you can tell what it is by feeling it. Try again - close your eyes and smell it. If it's edible, keep your eyes shut - taste it!

Finally, open your eyes - and see it! Were you surprised?

Jesus said, "Peace be with you."

Listen to peaceful music or sounds. How do you feel? Why?
Think of some peaceful places. What makes these places peaceful for you?
Draw, paint, collage, color, use Legos or clay to create & enjoy peace.
Start a notebook: My Peaceful Book - for your ideas, lists, and pictures. Add to it any time. Keep your book in a quiet place to enjoy whenever you want. You're invited to share the things that help you feel peaceful.
Take chalk with you when you take a walk or play outdoors, and draw peace signs and the words "Peace be with you."
Pray. Have a conversation with God, through Jesus. Say thanks for peace.

What are other ways to share peace?

Can St James help you do them?

"Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Jesus' blessing is an invitation and a gift.

Can you offer blessings? Yes, please!

Love each other, and love yourself; share God's grace.

How will you choose to give a blessing, to be a blessing?

ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA! ALLELUIA!

Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is risen indeed! No doubt!

I offer prayers for your health and well-being, peace, and joy - throughout the Easter season, and always! Bless you!

- Linda