Acts 2:14a, 22-32; 1 Peter 1:3-9; John 20:19-31 

Easter greetings to each and every one of you, this second Sunday of Easter!  We're invited to wallow in our Easter-joy for 50 days -which will take us right up to Pentecost on May 11^th.  Easter season is bracketed by two formative stories that tell of the origins of the church: Jesus and the Good News of the empty tomb, and the Pentecost story which describes the coming of the Holy Spirit who gathered up Jesus' followers into the community of the church -the body of Christ-on the heels of his resurrection.  These stories of Easter and Pentecost are essential in describing who we are as Christians and remind us that we're defined by the stories we tell.

Telling stories of disillusionment and disloyalty, we live shaped and bound by those who disappoint and betray us.  However, telling stories of hope and trust, we're freed from the power of betrayal, and things turn out better than we imagined possible.

This is why during "The Great Fifty Days of Easter" we tell and retell the story of the empty tomb. Easter is not just a day but also a season, because we need time to grasp the dramatic story that Jesus, whom we saw betrayed and crucified during Holy Week, is as much alive today-this moment-- here at St. Thomas' Parish--as he was when he appeared to his followers following Easter.

Peter the disciple knew how tempting it would be for Jesus' followers to remain captives of the cross, by the stories of suffering and death. So he told them that if they wanted to remember a story about death and burial, to look back to King David.  Peter said to them: "Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently ... that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day."  That's what stories limited to suffering and death get you, King David, the leader who can no longer lead, once death has claimed him; a tomb that remains full of bones from the past.

Yet Peter knew that after Easter, Jesus' followers were grasped by a different story. "Jesus of Nazareth," Peter reminded them, "this man, handed over to you ... you crucified and killed." However, the story of Jesus' suffering and death took an unexpected turn. "God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified."  This is the Gospel, the Unexpected News.

The emotions Peter's listeners experienced stopped hearts for Acts continues, "now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?'"  Peter's answer was simple: turn in a new direction, be baptized into the community of the followers of the Risen Christ, and get ready to have the very spirit of God living among you.    So, we really aren't surprised that the story ends, describing "and that day about three thousand persons were added."  A movement was underway.  Early Christian--formation class 101 was born!