preach it!
Good morning! Below are the lectionary readings for May 5, 2024, the upcoming Sixth Sunday of Easter Year B. Showing in the Collect, the epistle reading from 1 John, and the gospel reading from John 15, the Love theme will be obvious.
Easter is a baptism season, when the church hopes we will substitute the Baptismal Covenant for the Nicene Creed, and indeed, from Acts 10, the first lesson continues with another baptism story, following last Sunday's story of the evangelist Philip baptizing the Ethiopian Eunuch; and indeed we have two more baptisms in our parish this coming Sunday. Too bad we only have the closing snippet, but Acts Chapter 10 is a fun, enjoyable and ghastly unappetizing story leading up to this baptism event: it's worth reading so you know what's going on.
The Acts reading mentions speaking in tongues! The late 20th century days of the Renewal Movement coincided with my seminary years and my Time in our first parish after my ordination, and I got involved in, loved, and totally enjoyed the renewal movement while we were in Pennsylvania. In fact, my Pennsylvania bishop saw me as a bit too straight-laced and conservative, so sent me to a three-or-four day renewal conference in North Carolina, which was quite an experience for me. So much so that when I returned to our Pennsylvania parish, our rector, who was NOT AT ALL a renewal priest and wanted nothing of it coming into our parish, criticized me that I was fine before the bishop sent me to the renewal conference, but, "Now you ARE one."
For various reasons, he and I ended up not getting along at all, working with him being like working with some of the Navy officer jackasses I'd served under, and I quickly put my name out and found myself receiving calls to other parishes, one in Pennsylvania which we were about to accept when the other came, which I accepted joyfully, Trinity, Apalachicola.
During my Time at Virginia Episcopal Seminary in Alexandria, I found and enjoyed participating in the midweek praise service at an Episcopal parish in Northern Virginia, my first experience of being in a congregation of some 800 people when some shouted out speaking in tongues, and everyone stopped to listen, and someone in another part of the sanctuary spoke up with an interpretation - - fascinating if never quite my thing!
The Renewal Movement brought us absolutely wonderful praise songs and hymns, including supplemental hymnals authorized by General Convention, that I introduced at Trinity, and I was sad that the joy of the movement eventually faded and died and people moved on. Religion and worship can be exciting and fun, even in the Episcopal Church it doesn't have to settle into concrete routine.
Pic: Jesus preaching on the green.
RSF&PTL
T88&c
The Collect
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Lesson Acts 10:44-48
While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.
The Response Psalm 98 Cantate Domino
1 Sing to the Lord a new song, * for he has done marvelous things.
2 With his right hand and his holy arm * has he won for himself the victory.
3 The Lord has made known his victory; * his righteousness has he openly shown in the sight of the nations.
4 He remembers his mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel, * and all the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
5 Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands; * lift up your voice, rejoice, and sing.
6 Sing to the Lord with the harp, * with the harp and the voice of song.
7 With trumpets and the sound of the horn * shout with joy before the King, the Lord.
8 Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it, * the lands and those who dwell therein.
9 Let the rivers clap their hands, * and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord, when he comes to judge the earth.
10 In righteousness shall he judge the world * and the peoples with equity.
The Epistle 1 John 5:1-6
Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only but with the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one that testifies, for the Spirit is the truth.
The Gospel John 15:9-17
Jesus said to his disciples, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.”