Psalm 105:1–5, 8; antiphon, 1 Peter 2:2–3—The second Sunday of Easter is sometimes called Quasimodogeniti, Latin for the first
words of the Introit, ‘Like newborn
infants.’ Just as a baby eagerly suckles at its mother’s breast, so we, who
have been given new life in Christ by His death and resurrection, also do
eagerly desire the pure spiritual milk provided by our Lord for our nourishment
and good growth. This He gives us through the preaching of His Word and the
most Blessed Sacrament of the Altar.
The theme for the Second Sunday of Easter is Faith
in the Risen Christ. The First reading, from St. Luke’s history of the
Apostolic Church, the Book of Acts, tells about St. Peter, the one who, out of
fear, had denied Christ (Matt 26:69–75) and been restored (John 15:19). Here,
Peter performs miracles in the name of Jesus and testifies boldly before the
Jewish council. He has moved from fear to faith. The second reading
speaks of the revelation of Jesus Christ that was given to the holy Evangelist
and Apostle John. Though Christians were being persecuted, and John himself was
living in exile on Patmos, the vision of Christ, the One who died, but is
alive forevermore, brings reassurance that the victory over death and
Hades is complete. John has moved from tribulation to faith. The
Gospel is the familiar account of “doubting Thomas,” who, when he saw the risen
Christ, was moved to confess, “My Lord and my God.” Thomas has moved from
doubt to faith.
Psalm 105 – The
LORD Blesses His People
Whoever arranged and ordered the psalms placed Psalm
105 and Psalm 106 together purposefully. “This and the following psalm are
companions. They reveal the two sides of the relation between God and His
people during a long period. This one sings the song of His faithfulness and
power; while the next tells the sad story of repeated failure and rebellion on
the part of His people.” (G. Campbell Morgan)
The first 15 verses of Psalm 105 are also found in 1
Chronicles 16:8-22 and presented there as a composition of David, written and
sung for the bringing of the Ark of the Covenant into Jerusalem. We can
therefore conclude that though this psalm is not here specifically attributed
to King David, he is the author of it.
Collect for Easter 2—Almighty God, grant that we who have
celebrated the Lord’s resurrection may by Your grace confess in our life and
conversation that Jesus is Lord and God; through the same Jesus Christ, Your
Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. –
18 April, 2022
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