----- Original Message ----- From: Clive D.W. Feather <clive@demon.net> To: Infoman Inc. <mpereira@istar.ca> Cc: Antoine Leca <Antoine.Leca@renault.fr>; TZ <tz@elsie.nci.nih.gov> Sent: Wednesday, October 04, 2000 12:31 AM Subject: Re: week starts at Sunday or Monday??
Clearly the resurrection - which was on a Sunday - was on the first day of the week. [From context it's clear that the cruxifiction was the day before the sabbath, which makes it a Friday.]
Boy, does this discussion bring back memories. For any member of the religious group known as the Churches of Christ (as well as for us ex-members in recovery) any mention of the phrase "first day of the week" calls up this and several other biblical texts from a database we CofC-ers carry around in our heads after sitting through dozens of mind-numbing sermons on this subject. We even used to sing a hymn before communion, the words of which are so holier-than-thou that I found the song rather offensive even in my church-going days. But since it's on topic by way of documenting the traditional usage in Christendom of beginning the week with Sunday, here are the first verse and chorus in all their (gulp) splendor: Upon the first day of the week Disciples met to break the bread And drink the cup in memory Of Him whose blood for us was shed. Though others may forsake the Lord Yet we are here thy truths to seek. Thy holy presence comforts us, dear Lord, Upon the first day of the week. (Somebody probably owns the copyright for that. Gee, I hope they don't sue me :-) ) Brian