Lectionary Reflections

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...

  Theme As we begin Holy Week with Palm Sunday, we reflect on Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. It was not triumphant in the traditional sense of the word. There was no pomp and circumstance, but there was praise and rejoicing in God’s goodness as displayed through Jesus’ life and miracles. The psalm for this week also offers praise and rejoicing for God’s goodness. Scriptures Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29 -  A Psalm of praise giving thanks to God for God’s goodness. Luke 19:28-40 - Jesus enters Jerusalem riding a donkey (colt) that he obtained from a nearby town. As he entered Jerusalem, the crowds laid down their garments for him and his followers sang and shouted, praising God for the miracles they had seen. The people sang, “blessed be the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in highest heaven!” The pharisees told Jesus to rebuke the chants, but Jesus said that if the people stopped, even the stones would cry out.  Or John 12:12-16 - John...

  Theme We do not live as separate individuals isolated from other generations. It is good to be reminded of our history while still looking forward to a hopeful future. This tension of living in the present in light of the past and future seems to flow through our scripture readings for this week. Isaiah reminds the Israelites of God’s past goodness and encourages them to remember that God will continue to work for their good. The psalm reflects on the Israelite’s joyful return from exile and implores God to restore their fortunes in the future. Paul looks back at his earlier life before meeting Christ and then declares his desire to press on towards perfection. In our gospel reading, Judas misses the eternal significance of what was going on around him by (hypocritically) worrying about his own concerns. Scriptures Isaiah 43:16-21 - The prophet Isaiah reminds the Israelites of God’s deliverance from Egypt and promises that God will do greater things - making a pathway through th...

Theme This week’s readings teach us about the difference of a life before and after accepting God’s salvation. The Israelites begin eating from the new, bountiful promised land of Canaan. David sings about the joys of a life after forgiveness. Paul teaches that those who belong to Christ are a new Creation and Jesus shares a story of a father’s joy and celebration when a long-lost child returns home to their rightful place.  Scriptures J oshua 5:9-12 - The Israelites stopped eating manna to survive and began eating unleavened bread and roasted grain from the land of Canaan. This was a sign of God releasing them from their shame of slavery in Egypt. Psalm 32  - David speaks about the joy of experiencing forgiveness of our sins. He explains the stark difference in living a life of sin before accepting God’s forgiveness and grace and after. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 - Paul explains that anyone who belongs to Christ is a new creation. Because of this, we no longer see people from a ...

  Theme This week’s readings carry a prophetic call for people to repent and turn to God for salvation. Isaiah clearly makes this call to his listeners. Paul calls the Corinthian church to seek the living water in Christ and Jesus calls his listeners to repent and turn to God, regardless of whether they are worse sinners than anyone else. The Psalm is a good example of someone who seems to have accepted and is resting in God’s salvation. Scriptures Isaiah 55:1-9 - A call for people to seek God, repent and accept God’s salvation.  Psalm 63:1-8 - A Psalm of praise, expressing a deep longing for God.  1 Corinthians 10:1-13 - Paul encourages the Corinthian church to learn from the Israelite’s past mistakes. He encourages them to stay strong in the face of temptation and not put God to the test. We experience many of the same temptations as God’s ancient people did, but we also have access to the same living water that they did to guide us and save us. Luke 13:1-9 - Jesus u...