01 June 2025 - Easter 7, Year C

 

Theme

The scripture readings this week speak to God’s majestic power which always leads to a life-altering transformation in the witnesses of it. Paul and Silas experience an earthquake that releases them from prison while the jailor gives his life to God. John receives a dramatic vision of Jesus who will soon return to judge the world. Jesus prays for his disciples to know God’s unconditional love for them.

Scripture Readings

• Acts 16:16-34 - Paul and his companions are followed by a fortune-teller. Paul gets annoyed and commands a demon to leave her. The lady’s masters get angry and get Paul and Silas arrested. They were locked up in an inner dungeon, but while praying later, an earthquake hit and the prison came down. When the jailor saw this, he asked them what he can do to be saved? They replied that he and his household must believe in Lord Jesus. The jailor welcomed them into his home and cared for them.

• Psalm 97 - A dramatic vision proclaiming God’s might and power.

• Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 - A warning that Jesus is coming soon. He will repay everyone according to their deeds. Those who are thirsty must come and drink freely from the water of life. He is the alpha and omega.

• John 17:20-26 - Jesus prays for the disciples and all who will believe through them. He prays for unity and a knowledge of God’s loving presence with them.

Personal Application

The stories that we have reflected on over the past few weeks remind us that an encounter with the Gospel usually leads to a life-altering view of the world and an incredibly hospitable response. In our Acts reading, when the jailor encounters God’s power in the earthquake and freeing of the prisoners, he invites Paul and Silas, those whom he had previously imprisoned, into his home and cares for them.

In South Africa, we might have understandable concerns about welcoming strangers into our homes, and yet I wonder if we sometimes use our situation as an excuse to distance ourselves from those we’d rather not interact with.

Has your relationship with Christ made you a more hospitable person? In your context, how can you perhaps be more welcoming and hospitable to strangers?

Communal Application

The chuch often spends time in prayer for other people (at least, they should). This is called intercessory prayer and it is a very important type of prayer that we should be actively engaged in as individuals and groups of people. The importance of intercessory prayer is emphasized in Jesus’ prayer for his disciples and those who would believe through their message.

What is your experience of intercessory prayer? Do you spend time earnestly praying for others, that they would be united in Christ and experience God’s unconditional love for them? Or do you find yourself switching off or falling asleep when your pastor leads you to pray for others? How can you be more intentional in the way that you pray for others?