Following the Real Jesus

What follows Easter?

For centuries, the Sunday after Easter Sunday was called, ‘Low Sunday.’

Most people think of it as Low Sunday because the attendance is much lower than Easter. However, the Sunday after Easter was called ‘Low Sunday’ for a theological reason.

The ancient Church recognized the eighth day of Easter as the day when Jesus appeared to Thomas and showed him the scars in his hands and side. This day was called ‘Low Sunday’ to engender calm emotions and to lower excessive expressions of celebration as the Church entered a more consistent pursuit of reverence and spiritual renewal with reflection.

Low Sunday was a day to be honest about doubts and questions while beginning a lifestyle of deeper commitment, humility and modesty. In some cultures, heads were bowed throughout worship to acknowledge the need for quiet and sincerity.  Low Sunday is no longer recognized. Today, most traditions of the Church refer to the Second Sunday of Easter as ‘Thomas Sunday,’ or ’Bright Sunday,’ or ‘Renewal Sunday.’

One perennial emphasis on Sundays following a celebration of God’s resurrection of Jesus is this: ‘Searching for the Real Jesus.’ There seems to be more confusion than clarity today as to who Jesus was and what he came to reveal about God’s character, about God’s will for humanity, and about God’s mission for God’s people.

During my young adulthood, I became concerned about the words in a familiar song which was often sung on Sunday evenings during worship. The chorus went like this:

Now I belong to Jesus,

Jesus belongs to me,

Not for the years of time alone,

But for eternity.

I had not mentioned my concern to anyone, but it just seemed as if Jesus couldn’t “belong” to me – or to anyone. This approach to individualistic discipleship bothered me. It still does.

One evening, my father and I were in the Oldsmobile and Johnny Cash came on the radio singing, ‘Personal Jesus.’ If you’re in worship on Sunday, I’ll pick up this story at that time. We will read the story of the Emmaus Road journey from Clarence Jordan’s Cotton Patch Gospel. Through this story, we will renew our quest of searching for the real Jesus. We will follow this search throughout the summer.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR BRIGHT COLORS THIS SUNDAY.

Get ready to hear the St. John’s Children’s Kazoo Band and sing, “I’ve God the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy, Down in My Heart,” accompanied by David Erdman on guitar. Come prepared to welcome guests and plan to stay after worship for a few minutes for our ‘Meet & Greet’ in the Library Commons.