Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, April 28, 2013.
Last Supper. Fresco, 1304-06, Cappella Scrovegni, Padua, Italy.
Through Eastertide our First Readings, which usually offer us verses from the Old Testament, turn instead to the Acts of the Apostles, the story of the early church attributed to the evangelist Luke. In today’s reading we see a critical turning point, when Peter and the apostles realize that the message of Jesus was not intended only for their faith, Judaism, but for all humankind. God chooses us all!
Psalm: Psalm 148
This is one of the last five songs in the Book of Psalms, a concluding trio that rings out thunderous praise for the glory of God. It echoes the message of Acts in glorious harmony: All God’s host stands up in praiseful chorus, praising God from the heights and heavens, sun and moon and shining stars. Sea monsters and crawling things, kings and rulers, youngsters and old folks. We join our voices, too, as we chant this Psalm of praise today.
Second Reading: Revelation 21:1-6
The Easter readings offer us another change of pace, turning to Revelation, a book that many nowadays find more than a little strange. We shouldn’t try to find modern predictions in these ancient lines, but the underlying idea speaks to all ages: Jesus lived among us as Son of God. God will wipe away our tears and will conquer mourning, pain and death. God comes to us. God makes all things new.
Gospel: John 13:31-35
“And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love … Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” This beloved hymn echoes today’s Gospel, when Jesus at his last supper – just after Judas had sneaked out to betray him – gives his disciples a new commandment: “Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” Knowing that he is about to die a horrible, painful death on the cross, Jesus calls his disciples – and us, too – to love one another, and to love everyone, living as Jesus would have us live.