Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for May 1, 2016

First Reading: Acts 16:9-15

As we move into the final weeks of Eastertide, our readings remind us that God’s love is for everyone, all earth’s nations and all earth’s people: Jesus did not come for only a chosen few. In our reading from Acts, we find Paul taking Jesus’ message into pagan Greece for the first time. He sees a man in a vision but, arriving in Macedonia, encounters a woman, Lydia, a wealthy and influential member of her community. Baptizing Lydia and her household, Paul begins the community that will become the church at Philippi, extending the Christian movement into Europe.

Psalm 67

This short but exuberant hymn shouts praise for God and all of God’s works, and asks for God’s blessing. All the earth knows God’s ways, the psalmist sings. Let all the world’s people praise God. God judges all the people fairly, and guides all the world’s nations. “May all the ends of the earth stand in awe of God.”

Second Reading: Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5

As we read into the final chapters of Revelation, we suddenly recognize that the New Testament is ending with a vivid description of the author’s vision of life at the end of time. The final judgement has come, and all God’s people from all nations have come together in peace. Even earthly kings now worship a higher king in a city that needs no temple, for God is its temple; the New Jerusalem is so brilliant in the graceful glow of the Lamb that it needs no other light.

Gospel: John 14:23-29

John’s account of Jesus’ Last Supper with his apostles extends through five full chapters. He tells them that must leave them, but tells them not to be afraid, assuring them that God the Father will come to them and Father and Son will be with them even when Jesus has gone away. The words that Jesus uttered just before his passion and crucifixion resonate with us again as the Ascension and Pentecost draw near: Jesus is going back to the Father, but they will send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, to guide the people in Jesus’ name. The people of God show our love by keeping Jesus’ word.