Break Open the Word

The Third Sunday of Easter - 22 April 2012 Acts 3:12-19 Psalm 4 I John 3:1-7 St. Luke 24:36b-48                                                                                     Background – The Epistles of John There are three “epistles” of John, the first of which, I John, does not follow the traditional form of an epistle or letter.  Tradition holds that all three were written by the Apostle John, although most commentators agree that the epistles were written in the “tradition” of the Gospel, if not by the author of the Gospel.  The situation is similar in all three ...

The Second Sunday of Easter - 15 April 2012 Acts 4:32-35 Psalm 133 I John 1:1 – 2:2 St. John 20:19-31                                                                                     Background: The Paschal Candle At the Great Vigil of Easter a large candle is inscribed, blessed, and lit from the new fire.   Carried into the darkened Church to a simple sung response of “the Light of Christ – Thanks be to God” the Paschal Candle then symbolizes the light of Christ in the resurrection.   It is known throughout the Church, but it is mostly used in the liturgical ch...