Lectionary Reflections

  Theme The scripture readings for this week present us with a few people’s encounters with the Good News of the gospel and their responses to it. In Acts, Lydia hears the Gospel from Paul and is led to hospitality. In the second John reading, a man who has been sick for 38 years gets healed and walks for the first time. Scripture Readings Acts 16:9-15 - Paul receives a vision and a call to visit Macedonia and preach the Good News there. Just outside of Philippi, Paul has a conversation with a lady named Lydia who accepted Paul’s message and invited Paul and his companions to stay with her. Psalm 67 - A Psalm of Praise calling all nations to praise God and asking God to bless them. Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 - A vision of the new Jerusalem. The Lamb lights up the city and there is no night. A river flows down from the throne and the Lamb of God. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit. The leaves of the trees were used for medicine to heal the ...

  Theme Our readings for this week speak about the vastness of God’s Kingdom and love. The Acts passage shows us how God’s plan incorporates not only the Jews, but the Gentiles also. In Revelation, John shares that God will quench the thirst of ALL who are thirsty. Jesus commands his disciples to love as he has loved them - abundantly and extravagantly. Scripture Readings Acts 11:1-18 - Peter is confronted about socialising with Gentiles. Peter explains that he had a vision of a large sheet that was let down from the sky, containing all sorts of animals. Peter heard a voice saying, “get up, kill and eat them.” Peter refuses as he has never eaten anything declared unclean or impure by Jewish laws. The voice of God responds, saying “do not call anything unclean that God has made clean.” Peter then shares how he followed the Holy Spirit to a house of Gentiles, where they were also filled with the Holy Spirit. Peter then wonders why he should stand in God’s way when they received the ...

Theme The theme of a shepherd caring for their sheep runs through our readings this week. This speaks to God’s awesome saving and protective power. In Acts, we read a powerful story of Peter praying and raising Tabitha from the dead. In Revelation, John explains how the Shepherd will protect and provide for His sheep. In John’s gospel, Jesus expressed God’s power to protect God’s sheep. The Psalm is probably the most beautiful poem expressing trust in God’s protective and nurturing hand. Scripture Readings Acts 9:36-43 - Peter raises a woman named Tabitha from the dead in Joppa after praying for her. Psalm 23 - Famous Psalm of trust in God. Often used at funerals and times of hardship. Revelation 7:9-17 - A vision of people from every tribe and nation praising God before the throne in heaven. The people are identified as those who washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb and made them white. John 10:22-30 - Jesus claims to be the Son of God. The people do not believe him because...

  Theme This week we are faced with the challenge of what it looks like to be called by the risen Christ. Paul’s call caused him to repent of his past transgressions. Peter was called to show his love for Christ by caring for God’s sheep. Scripture Readings Psalm 30 - A psalm of assurance in God’s goodness and care. Sung for the dedication of the temple. Acts 9:1-6, (7-20) - Paul (Saul) meets Jesus along the road to Damascus. After years of persecuting Christians, Paul hears Jesus’ voice and receives God’s call to follow him. Revelation 5:11-14 -  A vision of the angels and every creature on heaven and Earth singing praises. “Worthy is the Lamb” and “Blessing and honour and glory and power.” John 21:1-19 - Jesus appears to seven disciples who were fishing. They had a fruitless night fishing, but when Jesus told them to toss their nets to the otherside, they were overflowing with fish. At first the disciples did not recognize Jesus, but after this miracle, Peter declares th...

Theme Easter Sunday marked the beginning of our Easter season. Today, the resurrection celebrations continue as we reflect on two of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances to the disciples. All of our readings for this week remind us of the glory that is found in the risen Christ. The apostles can’t help sharing the Good News in Acts. John provides a mighty vision in Revelation of Jesus as the resurrected witness who is God eternal. In the gospel reading, Jesus sends his disciples out to carry on the work that he was sent to do. Scripture Readings Acts 5:27-32 - The apostles are confronted by the religious leaders for preaching in the name of Jesus and spreading their message throughout Jerusalem. They replied that they are obeying God by preaching the Gospel. Psalm 150 - A Psalm of praise encouraging the reader to praise God with various instruments. Revelation 1:4-8 - A letter to the churches in Asia. Greetings are offered and then a vision is shared of Christ coming with the clouds...

  Theme Easter Sunday naturally offers us the stories of Jesus’ resurrection and the implications thereof. The Gospel passages explain the events of the women discovering the empty tomb and then sharing the Good News of Jesus’ resurrection. The Acts and Corinthians passage reveal the meaning of Jesus’ resurrection for Jesus’ followers. The Isaiah passage is a beautiful vision of a future world free of evil and death.  Scriptures Acts 10:34-43 - Peter preaches that God shows no favouritism and accepts all those who fear God and do what is right. Peter explains that those who witnessed Jesus’ life, death and resurrection have been made aware that Jesus has been chosen by God to be the judge of all - living and dead. Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 - A Psalm of rejoicing in the day of the Lord. Sing songs and tell stories of what God has done. “The stone the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.” 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 - Paul explains that Jesus’ resurrection signals the hope...