Scriptures & Reflection Questions for May 21

Here are the scripture readings for this upcoming Sunday.

Suggestion: Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it (some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection).

You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

If you would like to comment on these scriptures or have some on-line conversation about them, please go to sundayscriptures@blogspot.com, find these readings, and click the "comments" button at the bottom.
(If you don't have a Blogger account, click "other" or "anonymous" at the comment page.)

May 21, 2006
Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year B
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

Acts 10:44-48
Psalm 98
1 John 5:1-6
John 15:9-17

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.
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One of the major themes of scripture is discovering the presence of God in the unexpected person. Think of a person or a story about goodness and grace coming from someone surprising.
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Psalm 98
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.
11 In righteousness shall he judge the world *
and the peoples with equity.
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This is a noisy psalm. If you've got a chance, go out into nature. What sounds do you hear? What movement? What life and vision? How does all of that praise God?
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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.
________________

In the gospel today, Jesus gives his disciples the "new commandment" -- that we "love one another." How does that fit in with this passage?

What does it mean to you that Jesus came "not with the water only but with the water and the blood"?
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John 15:9-17
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.
________________

What does it mean to you to be called "friend" by Jesus?
Think about the assertion that you did not choose Jesus, but that Jesus chose you.
How does it feel to be one who is chosen?
Try living today with the commandment to "love one another" at the center of your consciousness. Let that word establish your motivation for all your actions and thoughts. Then, see what happens.

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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, Arkansas