Illuminations on the Lectionary readings for May 7, 2023 (Easter 5A)

First Reading: Acts 7:55-60

The resurrected Jesus is the way, and the truth, and the life, we hear in John’s Gospel on Sunday. No one comes to the Father except through him.

The Stoning of St Stephen (1520), tempera painting on canvas by Vittore Carpaccio (c.1460-c.1525). Staatsgalerie Stuttgart, Germany. (Click image to enlarge)

These deeply held ideas make it all too easy for Christians to imagine that we are the chosen ones, who alone reap the benefits of salvation. Whenever Scripture makes us feel this way, it’s time to dig into the details for a clearer understanding. In Sunday’s first reading we hear of the death of Stephen, traditionally the first martyr of the church. Stephen, one of the first Christian deacons, argued with fellow worshipers in the synagogue. They regarded his talk of Jesus as the Messiah foretold by the prophets as blasphemy. When Stephen declared his fellow Jews “betrayers and murderers” for their role in Jesus’s crucifixion and death, their anger overcame them and they stoned him to death. Stephen’s last words echo the hopeful cry of Psalm 31 that Jesus repeated on the Cross: “Into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Psalm: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

“Into your hands I commit my spirit.” Think about this: Both Jesus, dying on the cross, and Stephen, dying under the pounding weight of stones thrown by his community, uttered this same verse from Psalm 31. Even in the painful moment of death by violence, they confessed their faith. The Psalmist, too, seeking refuge and rescue, trusts in God’s fortress-like protection and steadfast love. He asks God for safety from enemies and persecutors; he begs God to listen, to be his stronghold, his rock and castle. He asks God to listen and to save him.

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:2-10

Writing for the persecuted church in Asia Minor a few generations after the crucifixion, the writer of the first letter of Peter turns to the Psalms and the prophets to find ideas similar to those in Sunday’s Gospel reading from John. These verses recall the words that the Prophet Isaiah had used to promise that the Temple in Jerusalem would be rebuilt on a mighty cornerstone, a living stone that the builders had at first rejected. He calls on Christians not to stumble and fall on this stone as Isaiah’s people had done, but to grow into salvation like infants nourished on pure, spiritual milk, to proclaim the mighty acts of Jesus, who called us out of darkness into his light.

Gospel: John 14:1-14

For the last three weeks of Eastertide we will hear excerpts from John’s long account of Jesus’ last talk with the disciples before he is betrayed, arrested and crucified. In Sunday’s passage, Jesus tells them that he is going to go ahead to prepare a place for them. He tries to reassure them, telling them not to let their hearts be troubled; but they worry all the same, fearful because he is leaving and confused about what he means. Thomas asks how they will know the way, and Jesus responds with these familiar words: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This is Jesus’s comforting word to his fearful disciples. Jesus himself is all they need; there is no need to be afraid. To know Jesus is to know God, right now and right here as we seek God’s kingdom on earth.

Thoughts on Sunday’s Lessons for May 10, 2020

First Reading: Acts 7:55-60


We are now midway through the 50 days of Eastertide, and our Sunday readings turn from the resurrection of Jesus to our own hope of new life and resurrection through Christ.

The Stoning of St Stephen (c.1435), fresco by Paolo Uccello (1397-1475). Prato Cathedral, Tuscany, Italy. (Click image to enlarge.)

In the first reading from the Acts of the Apostles we hear of the death of Stephen, the first martyr of the church, at the hands of an angry mob. This reading also introduces Saul, a Pharisee who, we are told in these verses, approved of this violent, brutal killing. Later in Acts, Saul will undergo a startling conversion experience and become Paul, a great evangelist for Christ. Why did Stephen suffer such a horrific death at the hands of his fellow worshippers? According to Acts (which was written not long after first century Christians and Jews had divided amid hard feelings), Stephen stood up in synagogue and declared his fellow Jews “betrayers and murderers” for their role in Jesus’ death.

Psalm: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

“Into your hands I commit my spirit.” Both Jesus, dying on the cross, and Stephen, dying under stones thrown by his community, uttered this same verse from Psalm 31. Even in the painful moment of death by violence, they confessed their faith. The Psalmist, too, seeking refuge and rescue, trusts in the loving-kindness and protection that comes with placing one’s self in God’s hands. Begging God to hear his call, to be his stronghold, his rock and castle, the Psalmist asks God to listen and to save him.

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:2-10


The author of the first letter of Peter turns to the Hebrew Bible to find inspiration for a suffering people. Writing for the persecuted church in Asia Minor a few generations after the crucifixion, the author draws from the Psalms and the prophets: Do not stumble and fall on a stone as Isaiah’s people had done, but to grow into salvation like infants nourished on pure, spiritual milk.

Gospel: John 14:1-14


Have you ever wondered why so many of the collects in the Book of Common Prayer conclude, “through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever”? This is where that doxology begins: As told by John in his version of Jesus’ last talk with the apostles at the Last Supper, no one comes to God except through Jesus. Jesus is the Way. To know Jesus is to know God. This is not just a dream of a heavenly life beyond the Pearly Gates; it is a promise that God is with us in God’s Kingdom on Earth.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for May 14, 2017

Laying the cornerstone: The rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem under Ezra and Nehemiah (1847 drawing by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld)

As we pass the midpoint of Eastertide, our readings turn from the resurrection of Jesus to our own hope of new life and resurrection through Christ. Why did Stephen suffer such a horrific death at the hands of his fellow worshippers with the not-yet-converted Saul looking on? Stephen, one of the first deacons, argued with fellow worshipers in the synagogue. They regarded his stories about Jesus as the Messiah foretold by the prophets as blasphemy. When he declares his fellow Jews “betrayers and murderers” for their role in Jesus’s crucifixion and death, their anger overcomes them and they stone him to death. His last words echo the hopeful cry of Psalm 31 that Jesus repeated on the Cross: “Into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

“Our times are in your hand.” These words, familiar from their use in the Birthday Collect in the Book of Common Prayer, express the Psalmist’s strong faith in the loving-kindness and protection to be found by placing one’s self in God’s hands. He asks God for safety from enemies and persecutors; he begs God to listen, to be his stronghold, his rock and castle. He asks God to listen and to save him. But ultimately he puts his faith and trust in God: “Into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:2-10

These verses recall the words that the Prophet Isaiah had used to promise that the Temple in Jerusalem would be rebuilt on a mighty cornerstone, a living stone that the builders had at first rejected. Now the author of this letter in Peter’s name calls on Christians not to stumble and fall on this stone as Isaiah’s people had done, but to grow into salvation like infants nourished on pure, spiritual milk, to proclaim the mighty acts of Jesus, who called us out of darkness into his light.

Gospel: John 14:1-14

For the last three weeks of Eastertide we will hear excerpts from John’s long account of Jesus’ last talk with the disciples before he is betrayed, arrested and crucified. Jesus tells them that he will go ahead to prepare a place for them. He tries to reassure them, but they are confused. Thomas asks how they will know the way, and Jesus responds, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” To know Jesus is to know God, not only in resurrected life but here and now as we seek God’s kingdom on earth.

Thoughts on Today’s Lessons for Sunday, May 18, 2014

Jesus mosaic at Hagia Sophia church, Istanbul, Turkey (6th century).

Today we hear of the death of Stephen, traditionally the first martyr of the church. This reading introduces Saul, a Pharisee who, we learn in the next verse, “approved” of this violent, brutal killing in which every person in an angry crowd took a hand. Later, Saul will undergo a startling conversion to become St. Paul, a great evangelist for Christ. But what did Stephen do to deserve such a horrific death at the hands of his fellow worshippers? According to Acts, written after Jews and Christians had divided amid hard feelings, Stephen stood up in synagogue and declared his fellow Jews “betrayers and murderers” for their role in Jesus’s crucifixion and death.

Psalm: Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

“Into your hands I commit my spirit.” Think about this: Both Jesus, dying on the cross, and Stephen, dying under the pounding weight of stones thrown by his community, uttered this same verse from Psalm 31. Even in the painful moment of death by violence, they confessed their faith. The Psalmist, too, seeking refuge and rescue, trusts in God’s fortress-like protection and God’s steadfast love.

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:2-10

These verses turn to the Old Testament to find inspiration for the church. Writing for the persecuted church in Asia Minor a few generations after the crucifixion, the author turns to the Psalms and the prophets to find ideas similar to those in today’s reading from John, calling us to proclaim the acts of Jesus and through believing, to try to do the work of Jesus in the world.

Gospel: John 14:1-14

So many of the collects that we recite in church conclude with similar words: “through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.” This is where that doxology begins: As told by John in his version of Jesus’ last talk with the apostles at the Last Supper, no one comes to God except through Jesus. Jesus is the Way. To know Jesus is to know God. This is not just a dream of a heavenly life beyond the Pearly Gates; it is a promise that God is with us in God’s Kingdom on Earth.