Prayer of the Day
O God, from whom all good things come: Lead us by the
inspiration of your Spirit to think those things which are right, and
by your goodness help us to do them; through your Son, Jesus Christ
our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and forever. Amen.
Acts 10:44-48
{44} While Peter was
still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word.
{45} 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, {46} for they heard them speaking in tongues and
extolling God. Then Peter said, {47} "Can anyone withhold
the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit
just as we have?" {48} So he ordered them to be baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several
days.
44. Peter was still speaking:
Acts 10:34-43, in which Peter instructs Cornelius and his family and
friends in the Gospel is the first lesson for Easter Sunday this year.
Is this intended to make a connection between the beginning of the
season of Easter and the end (Easter 7 is a transition from the
Ascension to Pentecost rather than an integral part of the season of
Easter.)? the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word: The gift of
the Holy Spirit is the sign that those who received it were believers. 45. circumcised believers…were astounded…even on the Gentiles:
"Jewish Christians who accompanied from Joppa who accompanied
Peter to Caesarea." [1]
Up to this point only Judeans, Samaritans, and Diaspora Jews
had received the gift of the Holy Spirit, been baptized and included
among the believers. The objective gift of the Holy Spirit, not a
subjective inclination on the part of an individual, determined
one’s acceptance as a believer. These are not the same
"circumcised believers" who criticize Peter in 11:2. 46. speaking in tongues: Ecstatic speaking. This is not the
same kind of speaking in tongues that occurred at Pentecost when the
disciples spoke in "other languages," so that pilgrims heard
them speaking in their "native languages" (Acts 2:4-6). 47-48: Having received the Holy Spirit, nothing stood in the
way of baptism, so Peter ordered that they be baptized. Peter’s
journey from regarding Gentiles as unclean and unworthy of the Gospel
to authorizing baptism for them is a microcosm of the early
(Jewish-Christian) church’s journey in the same direction. In 8:36
the Ethiopian asks a similar question.
Psalm 98
{1} O sing to the LORD a
new song, for he has done marvelous things. His right hand and his
holy arm have gotten him victory. {2} The LORD has made known
his victory; he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the
nations. {3} He has remembered his steadfast love and
faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have
seen the victory of our God. {4} Make a joyful noise to the
LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
{5} Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the
sound of melody. {6} With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD. {7} Let the sea
roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who live in it.
{8} Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together
for joy {9} at the presence of the LORD, for he is coming to
judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the
peoples with equity.
1-3: Yahweh has remembered his
covenant and restored his people from exile. The nations are witnesses
to Yahweh’s victory and the vindication of his people. 4-9: "A chain of summonses for hymnic veneration of Yahweh
lies before us. Not until v. 9 does the reason follow." [2] Yahweh is coming to
judge the world and its people. For this the whole earth is invited to
rejoice. Because of Israel all creation will be saved; "salvation
is from the Jews" (John 4:22).
1 John 5:1-6 {1} Everyone who
believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone
who loves the parent loves the child. {2} By this we know that
we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his
commandments. {3} For the love of God is this, that we obey his
commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome, {4} for
whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory
that conquers the world, our faith. {5} Who is it that conquers
the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
{6} 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.
1: Last week the lesson said
that those who say they love God but hate their brothers and sisters
are liars. This is the reason. If you love the parent (God) you also
love the child (brothers and sisters). 3a. The love of God is this, that we obey his commandments:
Paul says essentially the same thing: "Owe no one anything,
except to love one another; for the one who loves another has
fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit
adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not
covet"; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word,
"Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a
neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law" (Romans
13:8-10). 3b. his commandments are not burdensome: This reflects the
Jewish (and Jewish-Christian) attitude toward the law, that it was
God’s blessing for his people to be received with joy and kept with
love. Cf. Deuteronomy 30:11. Even Jesus agrees, "My yoke is easy,
and my load is light" (Matthew 11:30). 4. whatever is born of God conquerors the world: This is the
reason God’s commandments are not burdensome; we are born of God,
therefore we are able to overcome the hindrances the world puts in the
way of our obeying God’s commandments. 6. water and blood: The customary interpretation of water and
blood is as a reference to baptism and eucharist. In John 19:34 water
and blood are connected with each other and with the death of Jesus.
This probably reflects a disagreement between John, who asserted that
Jesus’ passion was a necessary part of his work of salvation, and
those who claimed that Jesus was incarnate in the baptism and that
nothing else was necessary for salvation, certainly not that God in
Christ would die.
John 15:9-17
{9} As the Father has
loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. {10} 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. {11} I have
said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your
joy may be complete. {12} "This is my commandment, that
you love one another as I have loved you. {13} No one has
greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.
{14} You are my friends if you do what I command you. {15} 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.
{16} 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. {17} I am giving you these
commands so that you may love one another.
9-10: Love and obedience are
inseparably connected. 12. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have
loved you: "As I have loved you" is made explicit in
verse 13: namely love is exemplified in dying for a friend. 14-15. You are my friends …I do not call you servants: Those
who worship God are frequently called "servants of God." In
both Greek and Hebrew the word for servant is also the word for slave.
The relationship between master and slave is all one-way, master to
slave. The relationship between friends is mutual. The same
differences exist between the suzerainty treaty (Sinai) and the parity
treaty (Abraham, David). As Jesus’ friends their relationship with
Jesus governs and is reflected in their relationships with one
another. 16. whatever you ask him in my name: The disciples must ask God
"in my name," "that is, naming him as brother—but the
request will be made to the Father, the ultimate patron." [3]
"What is paramount in this passage is that they
demonstrate their attachment to one another; that is Jesus’ new and
final request." [4]
Reflection
In the first lesson baptism is the means by
which one becomes one of Jesus’ friends. Neither ethnic identity nor
subjective intent is the material factor, but rather, in this passage,
evidence of the gift of the Spirit. In other cases the gift of the
Spirit follows the act of baptism (Acts 19:1-7), or is not mentioned
at all (Acts 8:27-40. Verse 37 is a Western Non-interpolation and not
found in the major manuscripts. Ehrhardt, Framework of the New
Testament Stories, pp. 234-238, suggests that it was added
to reflect a baptismal question and answer from the second century.) [5] Concerning this
inconsistency Ben Witherington writes, "The point is that God’s
gift is in God’s control. The book of Acts suggests God’s
sovereignty over the whole matter, not that the matter is in the
control of clerics, not even apostles." [6]
Having become a friend of Jesus carries with it the
obligation to carry out Jesus’ command to love one another as Jesus
has loved him/her, including the obligation to die, as Jesus did, for
his/her friends. This is the fruit Jesus appointed us the bear. If we
do not love our brothers and sisters in Christ, then we cannot claim
to love God.
In the Prayer of the Day we ask, "Lead us by the
inspiration of your Spirit to think those things which are right, and
by your goodness help us to do them." For Peter and his
co-religionists that meant the unthinkable, that non-Israelites were
not to be avoided as unclean, but welcomed as the children of God.
What might it mean for us as we seek to know and do the will of God in
our time?
With One Voice (e.g. 762v), Hymnal Supplement 1991
(e.g. 725s) and LBW (e.g. 32).
E=Entrance; D=Hymn of the Day; I=First Lesson, P=Psalm;
II=Second Lesson; G=Gospel
527 --E--All Creatures of
364 --D--Son of God,
299 --D--Dear Christians, One
554 --P--This Is My
707s --P--All the Ends
795v --P--Oh, Sing to (830s)
344 --II--We Sing the
665v --G--Ubi Caritas
836s, 271, 804s, 422
A: How fully God in Christ has
joined himself to us! We are no longer slaves or servants but friends.
Gladly we pray, "Reconciler Divine, hear us." Our response
is simply, C: Alleluia, Amen.
A: That those who work as pastoral teams throughout the congregations
of the church may live in harmony, act decisively to redeem, relieve
injury of heart, and break the Bread of Life among us. Reconciler
Divine, hear us. C: Alleluia, Amen.
A: That those who act as managers of the great cities of our world may
see clearly the areas under their rule, understand the needs of the
powerless and those in want, and serve to build relationships.
Reconciler Divine, hear us. C: Alleluia, Amen.
A: That those in administrative posts in small towns and cities may
not seek pride in their accomplishments, but celebrate the privilege
and weight of service. Reconciler Divine, hear us. C: Alleluia, Amen.
A: That those in the jails and prisons of our land may learn respect
for the rule of law and turn from greed, lust, and ignorance of
society's needs. Reconciler Divine, hear us. C: Alleluia, Amen.
A: That those who watch over the incarcerated may learn patience, curb
anger, and show respect for those in bonds. Reconciler Divine, hear
us. C: Alleluia, Amen. When the Brief Order of Confession and Forgiveness is not used, the
following may be said.
A: Forgive us, Lord, when we permit ourselves to be detached from you
and accept a fruitless life as good. Restore us that we may bear
fruit, more fruit, much fruit in our lives. Reconciler Divine, hear
us. C: Alleluia, Amen.
P: Our prayers come before you with all humility. In Christ's name we
pray. C: Amen.
Presider or
deacon
God loved us and sent the Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our
sins. Let us offer prayers to God for the needs, hopes, and concerns
of all human beings. Deacon or other leader
For this holy gathering and for those who enter our circle of faith.
For NN and the newly baptized illumined by the light of Christ.
For all who minister in Christ, and for all the holy people of God.
For the leaders of the nations and for all who seek peace.
For the suffering peoples of the world.
For those who experience desolation and for those who feel remote from
God.
For the sick, the dying, and the dead.
For ourselves, our families, and those we love.
Remembering our most glorious and blessed Virgin Mary and all the
saints, let us offer ourselves and one another to the living God
through Christ.
To you, O Lord. Presider
Blessed are you, Lord of heaven and earth, who gives the Holy Spirit
to all who believe. Hear our prayers for all peoples and grant us the
power to love one another as we love you. Glory to you for ever and
ever.
Notes [1] Ben
Witherington III, The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical
Commentary, Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing
Company, 1998, p. 362, note 137. [2] Hans-Joachim
Kraus, Psalms 60-150: A Commentary. Minneapolis: Augsburg
Publishing House, 1989, p. 265. [3] Bruce J. Malina
and Richard L. Rohrbaugh, Social-Science Commentary on the Gospel
of John, Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1998, p. p. 235. [4]Loc. cit. [5] For a
discussion of the text problem see Bruce M. Metzger, A Textual
Commentary on the Greek New Testament, Corrected Edition. New
York: United Bible Societies, 1975, pp. 359-360. [6] Ben
Witherington III, The Acts of the Apostles: A Socio-Rhetorical
Commentary, Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing
Company, 1998, p. 288. [7]http://www.worship.ca/text/wpch0203.txt [8]http://www.worship.ca/text/inter_b1.txt [9]http://members.cox.net/oplater/prayer.htm