A Weekly Bible Study

Second Sunday of Easter
Revelation 1:9-19

Over the next six weeks the church will proclaim its second reading from an often misunderstood and misinterpreted book: Revelation. Why Revelation? Because the message of Revelation unlocks the Easter mystery of the Crucified and Risen Christ, who has defeated death and who now (yes, now—not just in the future!) rules over all creation. This book is essentially one long, complex vision of God’s ultimate victory over evil.

But let’s begin with some background

The Book of Revelation is an example of “apocalyptic literature.” Popular in its day, this style of writing offered hope to people facing persecution. As the threat of martyrdom loomed large in the first century, our author (John of Patmos) used “coded” messages to believers in order to communicate the mystery of salvation. The messages were encrypted in symbolic images that would have been familiar to the original audience but which is hard for contemporary readers to decode. By couching his teaching in veiled language John (as other apocalyptic writers) are able to foil Roman persecutors while offering messages of consolation to those facing trials.

One of the conventions of apocalyptic writing was a description of an author’s “visions.” In today’s reading, John first establishes his solidarity with those “in distress” as he is exiled to the Mediterranean island of Patmos, then proclaims his “vision” (symbolic message) that reveals the "Son of Man" (Jesus) who has conquered death forever and now reigns supreme—a very comforting message to those suffering persecution and death for their belief in Jesus!

And a very comforting message for we today who long for Christ's rule to be made complete not only in the hearts of believers, but in all creation as well.


Happy Easter!

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.

Archaeology and Studies in Israel

Is digging your "thing"? Here's an opportunity to find out more about opportunities to study in

Masada Photo courtesy The Greenburg Center

Israel this summer through the University of Hartford's Greenberg Center's exciting Summer Term in Israel program.

Meet Professors Freund and Darawsha. Please join us for a meeting on Thursday, April 11, 2013, 12:15 pm at the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies, in our office at the Auerbach building Room #110. For more information call: 860-768-4964 or email mgcjs@hartford.edu.

Imaging God's Living Word

Using the gift of imagination we will enter into Scripture stories from our Easter Season to experience the presence of Jesus. We may be the seeker, the bystander, the helper, the believer, the doubter... or even Jesus as we break open the Word together to more fully appreciate the message for today’s disciples.

St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish
285 Church Street, Hartford, CT 06103
Tuesday, April 23, 6:30—8:30 p.m.
Presenter: Roberta Horton
Suggested Offering: $8.00

Contact the parish for more information and to register:

Phone: 860.756.4034   Email: info@spsact.org

A Weekly Bible Study

Solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection
John 20:1-9      Gospel of Easter Morning

With hearts like empty tombs, three disillusioned disciples struggle to understand the events of Good Friday. It will take a series of post-resurrection appearances of the glorified Christ for this trio to grasp the reality: He is Risen!

Did the evangelist John deliberately bring these particular three disciples together on this Easter morning? 

The first to witness at the empty tomb is Mary of Magdala. She had experienced a powerful healing at the hands of Jesus. Becoming a disciple and companion of Jesus, her presence at the foot of the cross symbolized a humanity healed and eager to follow in Christ’s footsteps.

Summoned by Mary to the tomb is Simon Peter. He would waiver in faith as he followed Christ, but his post-resurrection declaration of love would resonate in the hearts of all believers. His commission to “feed my sheep” would become cornerstone of the church’s mission.

The first disciple actually to look into the tomb and see what it held (or didn't hold!) is referred to simply as the “beloved disciple.” There is an enigmatic quality about this person whom the evangelist never names but who is traditionally considered to be John the Apostle. Perhaps this is John’s way of telling us that his loving, personal relationship with Jesus enabled him to go into the tomb and “upon seeing, believe.”

On this Easter morning, three disciples are drawn to the empty tomb. Love has embraced forgiveness and faith in search of Jesus. Their own emptiness will go away as they encounter the Risen Lord and begin to understand the everlasting life that emerged from the darkness of the empty tomb. This Easter day the promise and hope of eternity has been realized for all believers. Alleluia!

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.