Being Given the Faith of Jesus – 24 April 2022
John 20:19–31
The Fourth Gospel reports that the disciples were in a locked room “for fear of the Jews”. . . found elsewhere in this Gospel (7:13, 9:22, and 19:38) and it is easy to overlook that Jesus and the disciples were also Jewish.
When this Gospel speaks of “the Jews” it often means the religious authorities of Jesus’ day who were coalesced with Jews who opposed the Jesus movement. This included the Pharisees—who were far more prominent during the era when the Gospels were written than during the lifetime of Jesus (see Jn 12:42). Polemical language was a standard rhetorical convention in the first century. It fostered a Christian teaching of contempt for Jews that distorts Jesus’ call to love neighbor as well as enemies. It must be explained and challenged.
The selection continues with the report that Jesus breathed on his disciples to “Receive the holy Spirit” and then declared that sins they forgive are forgiven and sins they retain are retained—an instruction elsewhere given during his ministry in Matthew 16:19 and 18:18. . .
A week later [actually, eight days later in the Greek] Jesus appears among the disciples and invites Thomas to touch his hands and side. Thomas responds with the declaration, ‘‘My Lord and my God,’’ the Christological heart of John’s understanding of Jesus. Jesus’ concluding words, ‘‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe,’’ are words that affirm the faith of every assembly that hears this Gospel. –– Regina A. Boisclair
Acts 5:27–32
In this selection the apostles (unnamed) who had been arrested, jailed, and miraculously freed the evening beforehand have been found at the temple teaching (5:17–24). They are brought—peaceably because the guard fears being stoned by the crowd—before the Sanhedrin (5:27). The high priest reminds the apostles of the instruction given to Peter and John (4:18) “not to teach about that name” (Jesus) and maintains that they promote the Sanhedrin’s culpability for his blood (5:28). Then, reiterating the reaction to the first instruction (4:19–20), Peter and the apostles indicate that obedience to God must take precedence over obedience to humans. . .
That this testimony of the apostles is also the testimony of the Holy Spirit has been the traditional teaching of the church. However the accusation that the Jewish authorities “put [Jesus] to death, hanging him on a tree” (5:30) attributes a level of culpability that is not accurate and has been responsible for the enormous sufferings of Jews at the hands of Christians. While some Jewish authorities brought Jesus to the attention of the Romans who crucified him, it is the sin of all humanity that bears the true responsibility. –– Regina A. Boisclair
Revelation 1:4–8
[This text] is the first indication that the Book of Revelation is also a circular letter to the churches in Asia Minor as well as an apocalypse. It identifies the author as one named John and conveys a greeting from God, from the seven spirits before the throne and from Christ. God here is said to be who was, is, and is to come. –– Regina A. Boisclair
Regina Boisclair, a Roman Catholic biblical scholar, is Emerita Professor at Alaska Pacific University, Anchorage, Alaska.
Homily service 43, no. 2 (2009): 94–105.