Hard to believe, but we are still in the Easter season.  We have come to the 7^th and final Sunday of Easter per the lectionary.   I have not written much in the past couple weeks on the readings, but you should know that it has been consistent in that the Old Testament lesson has been replaced by a reading from Acts and that Revelation has taken the place of the Epistle.

The Psalm and Gospel remain steady, so here’s what we have:

• Acts 16:16-34
• Psalm 97
• Revelation 22:12-14,16-17,20-21
• John 17:20-26

The situation that plays out in Acts for us is amusing to me.  For once it’s easy to put ourselves in Paul’s place, being annoyed with someone who just won’t be quiet.  I’m also intrigued that Paul, not with pure intentions, is still able to perform the miracle of casting out a demon.  We also get a good reminder about how difficult spreading the message of Christ was going to be in Roman held areas.  Scary to think Paul has yet to see the worst of it.  When it comes to the jailor, my thoughts are how he’s carried from the pit of despair, the brink of death to salvation (in just a couple sentences).  The good news of Jesus is like that, able to guide us through that valley of the shadow of death we infamously hear about in the 23^rd Psalm.  What’s even more wonderful is that it’s not just to get us through that rough patch, it's to take us somewhere, to lead us to the still waters and green pastures.   Paul and Silas witness to not just stopping a man from committing suicide but also bringing him the hope of eternal life.

Even though Acts wasn’t the Old Testament lesson, the lectionary has kept its typical path of creating a real connection between the Psalm and the “first reading.”  We are reminded the power God has over all the earth to the point he could melt mountains or cause an earthquake as he did in Acts.   The Lord will deliver us from than hands of the wicked, again a direct correlation could be made to what happened for Paul and Silas.  It’s no coincidence that joy and rejoice and mentioned several times throughout the Psalm.   The joy we should have knowing that God is over all and can provide us with whatever it is that we need if it be His will.

Since this is a first blush jotting down of my initial thoughts, I feel okay in saying that my first reaction is that the word “soon” is relative.  It’s meaning certainly is different for different folks, it has been since I was a child.  I promise you that my parent’s idea of soon and mine was quite different.  I’m thinking along those lines as I read this passage in Revelation.  I also begin thinking about some of the letters that Paul had to write because early believers thought that Christ’s return would happen in their lifetime.  I think the opposite is true now.  Perhaps I’m wrong, but I think most church going folks believe there will be a second coming, but they won’t be around for it.   Also, you probably know that I detest that they chopped verses out.

As I read the Gospel, I go right back to something I was thinking while preparing the sermon last week.   Jesus, in his final days, weeks and hours, continues to make provisions for and pray for his disciples.  I admit that this passage has some deep current meaning for those in many denominations throughout the world.  Each has seen division instead of unity and sought to separate themselves further from one another rather that pull each other closer.   How different might we approach those things and all things in our lives if we truly loved one another as Christ loved us and were unified as Christ and the Father were united?  Our spiritual mirror can be a sobering place, gazing often at an image staring back to us that fails in so many ways to resemble our Redeemer.

I say this every week, but I mean it…these are just my very first and shallow thoughts on the recommended readings for the week.  Please join me in the coming days re-reading the Word and fully studying it so that we may see and hear what wisdom God is imparting on us.  God bless each and every one of you and I hope to see you Sunday.