Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, April 21, 2013.

First Reading: Acts 9:36-43
Peter is out in the world, filled with the Holy Spirit, and to the amazement of the disciples and perhaps even to his own surprise, he brings a dead woman back to life. These verses from Acts, the apostle Luke’s report of the early church, give us a vivid picture of the weeping women in the room, remembering their friend by looking at the clothing she had made. Imagine the excitement they must have felt at seeing Peter showing powers that they had only seen in Jesus.

Psalm: Psalm 23
Many Christians know this beautiful Psalm so well – perhaps in the cadences of King James – that we could recite it from memory. But sometimes familiarity robs us of the beauty of rediscovering the details. Try reading it today with fresh eyes and mind, taking it slowly, one verse at a time. Breathe deeply and visualize yourself and your loved ones in each line; walking with God through the green pastures, past the still waters and through the dark valley, then sitting down at God’s table for an unforgettable banquet. God loves us all, always. What could be more comforting than that?

Second Reading: Revelation 7:9-17
We are again in the strange land of Revelation, a book written in symbolic language for a persecuted first century church. But there is hope written here for all ages. First, the multitude worshiping the Lamb is not exclusive but worldwide, of all colors, languages and nations. Everyone is included! And then look at the final verses: The Lamb will be our good shepherd, guiding us beside the still waters, protecting us from danger and delivering us from hunger and thirst. How does it feel to find the comfort of Psalm 23 again in Revelation?

Gospel: John 10:22-30
We know that John’s Gospel reflects life during a time of conflict between early Christians and Jews, but we can look past the harsh verses that open this Gospel to find love and hope for all nations in Jesus. The Good Shepherd will protect the flock, caring for the sheep through Christ’s body on earth, and provide us our safe dwelling in God’s big house.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, April 14, 2013.

First Reading: Acts 9:1-20
“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” If you persecute those who follow Jesus, you are persecuting him. Does this remind you of something? If we feed the hungry, attend to the sick and care for the oppressed, Matthew reminded us, we do those things also for Jesus. As the body of Christ on earth, we are all called to care for one another. When Saul gets this, finally, he turns from enemy of the church to become Paul, one of its greatest advocates.

Psalm: Psalm 30
According to tradition, this ancient hymn offers thanksgiving for recovery from a serious illness. There is faithful optimism in the lines that remind us that while sadness and anger are short-lived, the joy of God’s favor lives forever. This idea fits in with today’s lessons about Paul’s conversion from enmity to life in Christ and Peter’s mission to tell the world about Jesus after having denied him three times.

Second Reading: Revelation 5:11-14
In last week’s reading from Revelation, early Christians heard that Christ would supplant the Roman emperors as “ruler of the kings of the earth.” Today’s lesson is filled with more symbolic language, and it reveals an unexpected surprise: Jesus’s kingship is not that of a roaring lion or any earthly ruler, but a lamb, a vulnerable creature, symbol of the Passover; a slaughtered victim now raised and glorified for us.

Gospel: John 21:1-19
Jesus appears to some of the disciples, shows them where to find a net-load of fish and cooks them dinner … and then he asks Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Peter is offended that Jesus has to ask this repeatedly. Do you think that Peter could have forgotten the terrible night when he denied Jesus three times before the cock crowed? This doesn’t seem to matter now, as Jesus directs Peter, “Feed my lambs. … Feed my sheep.”

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, April 7, 2013.

First Reading: Acts 5:27-32
Jesus has died, Christ has risen, and tension continues between the Christ-followers and the Temple establishment. The apostles are carrying on for Jesus, teaching, preaching and healing, and all the excitement has the authorities worried. All this uproar is going to bring trouble. They locked Peter and the apostles in jail, but an angel set them free. Now they try to persuade, but the apostles have a higher mission. God has called them to spread the Word, and that mission trumps any human authority.

Psalm: Psalm 118:14-29
Do some of these words sound familiar? Today we hear again some of the same verses as we sang in Easter Sunday’s psalm. Again we promise to practice justice in our lives, to serve God, our neighbor, the poor and the stranger, seeking through righteousness to enter the glory of God. Then in today’s verses we go on to address God directly, giving thanks for God’s abundant love, our lives and our salvation.

Alternate Psalm: Psalm 150
Throughout the year, in Sunday liturgy and daily prayer, we turn to the Psalms every time we gather to worship. Some Psalms cry out in lamentation; some ask God’s blessing. Psalms beg forgiveness and express hope; a few even call down God’s wrath. The most joyful Psalms sing God’s praise. Psalm 150, the last in the book, rings out God’s glory with flutes and harp, strings and praise and plenty of loud, clanging cymbals. Sing out loud as we celebrate the resurrection today.

Second Reading: Revelation 1:4-8
Despite the popular “Left Behind” stories, Revelation, a sort of First Century sci-fi and fantasy, wasn’t really written for our modern ears. In its time it was addressed to the Christians of seven cities in what is now Turkey – churches oppressed by Roman power – reassuring them in symbolic language that the Reign of Christ will come and set them free. Christ is “the ruler of the kings of the earth,” it promises, and knowing readers understood that Christ would eventually dominate even the Emperor of Rome.

Gospel: John 20:19-31
Thomas got a reputation as a doubter because he had to see Jesus before he could accept that Christ was risen. But let’s not be too quick to judge Thomas. Remember the Easter Gospel of Luke, when none of the apostles believed the women who came running back from the empty tomb to tell them that Christ was alive. Today’s message is not about doubt but fear: Don’t stay locked up indoors. With the power of the Holy Spirit, spread the word of Jesus in the world!