Posts Tagged ‘Acts’
Second Sunday of Easter: “Mere Christianity”
Lectionary Readings: Acts 2:42-47. A portrayal of the first Christian community at Jerusalem. The disciples held their property and goods in common, worshiped together at the temple, and broke the bread of the Eucharist in the privacy of their home. 1 Peter 1:3-9. This early hymn celebrates new birth in the sacrament of baptism. A ... Read more
Sixth Sunday of Easter: A Mother’s Day Message
Lectionary Readings: Acts 15:1-2, 22-29. Luke’s account of the council of Jerusalem. Revelations 21:10-14, 22-23. John receives a vision of the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven. The city has no temple because now the people will relate directly with God and the Lamb. John 14:23-29. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give ... Read more
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged Acts, Council of Jerusalem, Harmony, Jesus, John, JPIC, momsrising, Mother's Day, New Jerusalem, revelations
Fifth Sunday of Easter: Remember Tomorrow
Lectionary Readings: Acts 14: 21-27. Paul and Barnabas complete the first missionary journey and report to the community at Antioch which had commissioned them. They relate all that God had helped them accomplish and repeat the need to undergo many trials perseveringly. Revelations 21: 1-5. John sees a vision of the new heavens and the ... Read more
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged Acts, eschatology, Fifth Sunday of Easter, Jesus, John, Kingdom of God, love, Passionist, Paul, remember, remembrance
Fourth Sunday of Easter: The Christian Message
Lectionary Readings: Acts 13:14, 43-52. Many converts and persecution at Pisidian Antioch. Many Jewish people joined in accepting Jesus as the Messiah, others resisted, even vigorously. The apostles Paul and Barnabas turn all the more firmly to the gentiles. Revelations 7:9, 14-17. In vision John sees a huge crowd from every nation and race, gathering ... Read more
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged Acts, Barnabas, Christian message, Gentiles, Jesus, John, JPIC, Paul, revelations
Third Sunday of Easter: Gamaliel’s Rule
Lectionary Readings: Acts 5:27-32, 40-41. The Apostles respond to the High Priest and the Sanhedrin: God has raised up Jesus whom you put to death. The Sanhedrin, after being consulted by Gamaliel, dismissed the apostles after having them whipped. Revelations 5:11-14. In a vision about heaven, John heard the voices of many angels, crying out ... Read more
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged Acts, Gamaliel, Gamaliel's rule, Jesus, John, Patience, Peter, Third Sunday of Easter, tolerance
Second Sunday of Easter: Community Organizing
Lectionary Readings: Acts 5: 12-16. A third portrait (see “A” and “B “ Cycles for the other two) describing the life of the early church. The power of healing is prominent in this account. Revelations 1: 9-13, 17-19. John is called to write down his visions by Christ, the Son of Man, once dead and ... Read more
Easter Sunday: Risen Life… Plus.
Readings: Acts 10:34, 37-43. The Apostles are personal witnesses that Jesus rose from the dead, for they “ate and drank with him.” They are commissioned to preach Jesus, to whom the prophets testify and through whom there is forgiveness of sin. 1 Corinthians 5:6-8. The risen Christ is the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth ... Read more
Baptism of the Lord
Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7. In his first song of the Suffering Servant within the prophecy of Isaiah, God summons his chosen one to bring forth justice to the nations, quietly, considerately. Acts 10:34-38. To instruct one of the first gentile converts, Peter began with Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist when he was anointed with ... Read more
Pentacost Sunday
Readings: Acts 2:1-11 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13 or Galatians 5:16-25 John 20:19-23 or John 15:26-27; 16:12-15 Thoughts for your Consideration: If you happen to be in the new St. Gabriel’s church in Toronto (Canada) and turn towards those reading the Scriptures during the liturgy you will always look beyond them into the large garden exposed ... Read more
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged Acts, Corinthians, Galatians, garden, Harvest, Holy Spirit, John, Nature, Pentecost
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 1:15-17, 20-26 1 John 4:11-16 John 17:11-19 Thoughts for your consideration: This week’s scriptures takes us through that transitional period between the Ascension and Pentecost. In Acts we find the Apostles attempting to redefine themselves in the midst of this transition. One of the great Passionist scripture scholars, Fr. Carroll Stuhlmueller, CP, tells ... Read more
In Lectionary Reflections | Tagged Acts, collaboration, Jesus, John, love, Transition, truth