Scriptures and Reflection Question for May 8

Scriptures and Reflection Questions
Third Sunday of Easter, Year A
May 8, 2011
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Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary
Year A
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How to use this page:

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.

For a method to read and pray with the scriptures you might try to use the ancient
practice of Lectio Divina (Divine Reading).  We've written some instructions on 
how to use Lectio with the Sunday Scriptures at the following link: 
www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html
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Collect

O God, whose blessed Son made himself known to his disciples in the breaking of 
bread: Open the eyes of our faith, that we may behold him in all his redeeming work;
who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and
 for ever. Amen.
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The Lessons

Acts 2:14a,36-41
Psalm 116:1-3, 10-17
1 Peter 1:17-23
Luke 24:13-35

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Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the multitude, "Let
the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and
Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified."

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the
other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and 
be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be
forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for
you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our
 God calls to him." And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them,
saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." So those who welcomed his
message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

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What does it mean to you to "receive the gift of the Holy Spirit"?

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Psalm 116:1-3,10-17

I love you, O God, because you have heard the voice of my supplication, *
     because you have inclined your ear to me whenever I called upon you.

The cords of death entangled me; the grip of the grave took hold of me; *
     I came to grief and sorrow.

Then I called upon your holy Name: *
     "O God, I pray you, save my life."

How shall I repay God *
     for all the good things done for me?

I will lift up the cup of salvation *
     and call upon the Name of God.

I will fulfill my vows to God *
     in the presence of all people.

Precious in your sight, O God, *
     is the death of your servants.

O God, I am your servant; *
     I am your servant and the child of your handmaid;
     you have freed me from my bonds.

I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *
     and call upon your holy Name.

I will fulfill my vows to you *
     in the presence of all your people,

In the courts of God's house, *
     in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Alleluia!

                                                     The Saint Helena Psalter
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When have you called upon God and been heard?

In what ways do you fulfill your vows to God when you go to worship?

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1 Peter 1:17-23

If you invoke as Father the one who judges all people impartially according to their
deeds, live in reverent fear during the time of your exile. You know that you were
ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable
 things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of
 a lamb without defect or blemish. He was destined before the foundation of the 
world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake. Through him you have
come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your
faith and hope are set on God.

Now that you have purified your souls by your obedience to the truth so that you
 have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. You have been
 born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring
word of God.

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What does it mean to you to be "born anew"?  How has Christ transformed your life?

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Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, two of the disciples were going to a village
called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about
all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus
himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognizing 
him. And he said to them, "What are you discussing with each other while you walk
along?" They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas,
 answered him, "Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things
that have taken place there in these days?" He asked them, "What things?" They replied,
"The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before
God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to
 be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to
redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things
took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb
early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and
told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive.
 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women 
had said; but they did not see him." Then he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you 
are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it
not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his
glory?" Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the
things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which
they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly,
saying, "Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over."
So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread,
blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they
 recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, "Were
not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he
was opening the scriptures to us?" That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem;
and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying,
"The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!" Then they told what had
happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of 
the bread.

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It is the evening of Easter.  Unknown, Jesus visits with disciples on the road and
opens new interpretation of scripture to them.  Then, at table with them, Jesus 
re-enacts the familiar pattern -- take, bless, break, give -- and they know him.

How have you experienced Jesus' presence in the breaking open of scripture and in
the breaking of the bread?

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

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
  We aspire to...
     worship weekly
     pray daily
     learn constantly
     serve joyfully
     live generously.