Eastertide: Learning to Live the Resurrection

The fifty days of Easter are not simply an extended celebration of one great morning. They are the Church’s sustained meditation on what the resurrection means—and what it does. From Easter Day to Pentecost, the Sunday readings unfold like a carefully arranged series of windows. Through them we learn how to recognize the risen Christ, how to live in Christ, and how to understand ourselves as Christ's Body in the world.

These themes are not new inventions. They have shaped the Church’s worship for many centuries. By the fourth century, they were already established as part of the Church’s instruction of the newly baptized. Easter was not only a feast; it was a school. The resurrection was not merely proclaimed; it was unpacked.

The Second Sunday of Easter: Faith and Recognition

On the Sunday after Easter Day, we always hear the story of the risen Jesus appearing to Thomas. The focus is often misplaced. It is not chiefly a story about doubt. It is a story about recognition.

Thomas’ cry—“My Lord and my God!”—is the first explicit confession of Jesus as God in the Gospel.

And then there is the word spoken beyond Thomas to us: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe.” Easter faith is not dependent on physical sight. It rests on the witness of the apostles and the gift of the Spirit. The Church hears this reading each year because it speaks directly to us. We are those who have not seen, yet believe—and in believing, we recognize the risen Lord.

The Third Sunday of Easter: Known in the Breaking of the Bread

On the Third Sunday, the Gospel always tells of a resurrection appearance in which Jesus eats with his disciples. Whether at Emmaus or by the Sea of Tiberias, the pattern is unmistakable: the risen Lord is made known in table fellowship.

For Christians, this has an Eucharistic echo. It was in the breaking of the bread that Jesus was first recognized after his resurrection. It is in the breaking of the bread now that we encounter him. When we say, “Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia,” we are not reciting a pious formula. We are proclaiming that the risen Christ is present and active among us.

Easter joy is not vague optimism. It is the recognition of Christ in Word and Sacrament.

The Fourth Sunday: The Good Shepherd

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday. The Gospel always presents Jesus in that image: the Shepherd who knows his sheep by name, who calls them, who leads them, who lays down his life for them.

This is resurrection language. The Shepherd who was struck down now gathers his flock. The one who passed through death now leads his people into life. Easter is not only victory over the grave; it is guidance, protection, and intimate knowledge. The risen Christ is not distant. He is attentive.

The Fifth Sunday: The Meaning of the Cross

On the Fifth Sunday, we hear words spoken by Jesus before his crucifixion—words that interpret what his death will accomplish.

In this year’s readings, he declares, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” His death becomes the path into communion with the Father.

Easter does not cancel the cross. It reveals its meaning. What seemed like defeat becomes the decisive act of salvation.

The Sixth Sunday: Abiding in Christ

The Sixth Sunday’s Gospel looks forward to what our new life in Christ entails.

Jesus speaks of a union as intimate as vine and branches. Life flows from him into us. Apart from him, we wither.

Easter life is not symbolic. It is participatory. We abide in him, and he in us.

Ascension: The One Saving Event

Forty days after Easter, following the chronology given in the Acts of the Apostles, the Church celebrates the Ascension. This is not a separate episode tacked onto the resurrection. It is part of one saving movement: rising, ascending, and sending the Spirit.

In the Ascension, Christ’s human life is brought into the fullness of divine glory. Our humanity, in him, is carried into the presence of the Father. The risen Lord reigns—not in absence, but in authority.

The Seventh Sunday: The Prayer for Unity

On the Sunday after Ascension Day, we hear portions of what is often called Jesus’ “high priestly prayer” from the Gospel of John. Each year we are given a different portion, but the themes are constant: glory, protection, unity, witness.

Jesus prays that the glory given to him may be shared with us. Easter faith is not private spirituality. It is visible communion. Our unity bears witness to the reality of the resurrection.

Eastertide and the Life of the Baptized

By the fourth century, these Easter themes were already used to instruct the newly baptized in what the Church called the “mysteries” of the faith. In those early centuries, those preparing for baptism did not participate fully in the prayers or sacraments until they had been baptized. Only after Easter were they introduced to the deeper meaning of what they had received.

The Prayers of the People, for example, belong to the baptized because we are a royal priesthood. We come directly to the Father in intercession. It is not the leader who does the praying. The leader names the intention; all of us, in the power of the Spirit, pray together.

The Peace is not casual friendliness. It is the greeting of the risen Christ himself—“Peace be with you.” In sharing the Peace, we are not merely greeting acquaintances. We are bearing Christ’s risen presence to one another.

And in the Eucharist, it is not the clergy alone who celebrate. The whole baptized community offers praise. The bread and wine we bring forward are not simply objects. They are signs of ourselves. They become the Body and Blood of Christ because we, who offer them, are already his Body in the world.

Eastertide reveals to the newly baptized and reminds all of us the depth of our redemption and the dignity of our calling.

St. Augustine once preached to the newly baptized in his cathedral at Easter:

“You are the Body of Christ. In you and through you the work of the Incarnation must go forward. You are to be taken, blessed, broken, and given, that you may be the means of grace and the vehicles of eternal charity.”

That is Easter’s final lesson. The resurrection is not only something we celebrate. It is something we live.

Notes from the Vestry

Spring is in the air, and the ministries at St. John’s are blooming! As we wrap up a Lent filled with prayer and worship, we turn our attention to Holy Week and the joy of the Easter season. There are lots of projects in the works, and we can’t wait to tell you about them!

At our February vestry meeting, we approved the purchase and installation of acoustical panels in the parish hall that we believe will improve the sound quality not only of our musical events but also our various gatherings. Thanks to Keith Stuart, Linda Schroeder, and Sonia Cowart for keeping this project on track and working so hard to ensure we have something functional and aesthetically pleasing for our parish hall!

You may also have noticed some minor damage to the Memorial Garden and the exterior of the church. Our Jr Warden, Lee Armstrong, has been working with a contractor and the insurance company to resolve the situation. In addition, the Accessibility Committee and the Creation Care team are working together to improve the landscaping and lighting in the courtyard and Memorial Garden. Our faithful Buildings and Grounds Committee has been hard at work cleaning out Ruddiman Hall as well as planning to complete the floor installation in Woods Hall and putting a new roof on our shed!

Our Fundraising group continues to be busy with events and opportunities to raise funds for our Outreach programs at St. John’s. We were able to collect $615 for parking at the St. Patrick’s Day parade for a total of $1,486 in parking revenue in the 1st Quarter! Also a huge thanks to Robert Wiygul for his brave decision to organize our—dare we hope—FIRST ANNUAL Lenten Fish Fry! Stay tuned for more information about an upcoming Derby Day Event in May!

At our March vestry meeting, we discussed the appropriate disbursement of our $7856 budget surplus from 2025. It was suggested that we give some additional support to our Outreach partners, so the Lord is My Help, Samaritan Ministries, Gulf Coast Center for Non-Violence, and the Ruddiman Unit of the Boys and Girls Club will each receive a one-time gift of $1000 in addition to the $750 each received as part of our planned 1st quarter giving. The vestry decided to allocate the remainder of the surplus to the EYC Fund to support the development of our youth program. As some of you have likely noticed, the EYC has moved out of the upstairs Youth Room to take up residence in Mead Hall, so the vestry hopes these additional funds will help them set up a space they will enjoy for years to come!

Finally, we have an exciting opportunity to partner with a beloved non-profit organization, the Ocean Springs Art Association, as we discuss the possibility of allowing them to relocate their Art House to the Ruddiman Building. This is still very preliminary as there are still a few hurdles to overcome, but feel free to ask any member of the vestry for an update. We will definitely keep you posted as this project unfolds.

Wishing you a Blessed Easter Season
—Stacey Butera, Senior Warden

From the Treasurer

It’s April! Time for Easter, springtime, and your first quarter giving summary. Expect it in your in-box soon. Please be sure to check the information and let me know of any errors.

Speaking of April, we know that means income taxes too. For those drawing on their IRA’s, last year’s stock market successes translate to this year’s tax burden. Instead of incurring taxes on your required minimum distribution, make a qualified charitable donation to St. John’s and avoid taxation while still satisfying your RMD! Consult your financial institution and tax preparer for details.

And it’s never too early to think about next year’s taxes. Gifts to the church in 2026 will be deductible next year (up to $1,000 for single filers, $2,000 for joint filers) even to those who don’t itemize. Changes are in store for those who itemize as well. Regardless of your circumstances, consult your tax preparer for details on how the 2026 changes may affect you. Of course you’ll need records to take advantage of any tax savings, so if you usually put cash in the plate without documentation, let us keep those records for you. Simply write a check or put cash in an envelope with your name on it. Even better, make a pledge! We will track your giving and provide the necessary documentation so you will have what you need this time next year. Prefer to give electronically? We document that for you too and can help you schedule your gifts so you don’t have to write a check every week.

You can contact me with any questions by text, telephone, email, or come visit in the Parish Hall finance office.

Judy Guice, Treasurer
228-365-6446
judy.guice@sjosms.org