Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, May 5, 2013.
Icon depicting Lydia Purpuraria
Our reading from the Acts of the Apostles, the story of the early church and how it grew, shows us Paul and his company carrying the good news from ancient Turkey into northern Greece. In this lesson he makes a convert of Lydia, a leading woman of her community and a wealthy merchant who will become a benefactor of the church. Man or woman, Jew or Greek, slave or free, everyone was welcome in Paul’s church … and still should be.
Psalm: Psalm 67
Just as Paul opened the doors of the church to everyone, today’s joyous Psalm calls all the nations of Earth and all their people to sing together in peace and praise. God has blessed us, and through God the earth has given forth its bounty, the Psalmist sings. When we read the lines with care, we see that we’re not called to praise God only in thanks for our personal gains but to make God’s grace and salvation be known to all people, all nations. We’re called to share God’s good news.
Second Reading: Revelation 21:10, 22 – 22:5
Revelation depicts in vivid images the New Jerusalem, heaven come down to earth, a city so brilliant in the graceful glow of the Lamb that it needs no other light. The old hymn, “Shall we gather at the river,” echoes these images of the city’s crystal stream and tree of life. All earthly kings will worship at God’s throne, it promises, in words politically radical for their time; and the city’s pure waters and luscious fruit will nourish all nations and everyone.
Gospel: John 14:23-29
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.” In these familiar, loving words, the resurrected Jesus is saying farewell to his disciples, telling them that he is going away, but that God remains present with them, and with us, in God’s Holy Spirit. God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding, means peace among nations and no more war, of course. But remember always that it also stands for peace in our nation, in our cities and towns, and just as important, peace in our minds and in our hearts.