Scriptures and Reflection Questions for May 22

Scriptures and Reflection Questions
Fifth Sunday of Easter, Year A
May 22, 2011
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Collect

Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know
your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly
follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your
Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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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: http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html
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The Lessons

Acts 7:55-60
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
1 Peter 2:2-10
John 14:1-14
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Acts 7:55-60

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God
and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. "Look," he said, "I see the heavens
 opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" But they covered
their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged
him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at
the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed,
"Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice,
"Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he died.

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Stephen becomes the first Christian martyr.
What are you willing to die for?
Can you think of something religious that would deserve execution?
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Psalm 31:1-5,15-16
In you, O God, have I taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; *
     deliver me in your righteousness.

Incline your ear to me; *
     make haste to deliver me.

Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, for you are my crag and my stronghold;*
     for the sake of your Name, lead me and guide me.

Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
     for you are my tower of strength.

Into your hands I commend my spirit, *
     for you have redeemed me, O God of truth.

My times are in your hand; *
     rescue me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me.

Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
     and in your loving-kindness, save me."

                                                                      The Saint Helena Psalter

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In what context might this psalm be powerful and important to you?

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1 Peter 2:2-10

Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow
into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious
in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual
 house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God
 through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:

"See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame."

To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,

"The stone that the builders rejected
has become the very head of the corner,"

and

"A stone that makes them stumble,
and a rock that makes them fall."
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people,
in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness
into his marvelous light.

Once you were not a people,
but now you are God's people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.

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What argument is the author making?
How might you elaborate on the stone metaphor?
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John 14:1-14

Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in
 me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would
I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a
place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am,
there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas
said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?"
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the
Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now
 on you do know him and have seen him."

Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus
said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know
me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that
I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his
works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do
 not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the
one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater
works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in
my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me
for anything, I will do it."

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What do you find compelling about God as revealed in Jesus that helps connect you
to the divine?
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Lowell

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.

Check our website: www.stpaulsfay.org