Acts 8:26-40 Fifth Sunday of Easter Psalm 22:24-30 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 Recently Chuck Colson died . He was someone who was disgraced in the Watergate era, went to prison and there a remarkable transformation happened. After his conversion he began a prison ministry. The theme of that ministry was Isaiah 42:3,” a bruised reed he will not break, a smoldering wick he will not snuff out.” This reflected Colson’s “ belief that no one---not the most hardened criminal nor the most egotistical Washingtonian---was beyond hope.” “World” May 5, 2012. I like what he said at his last speech. He warned his audience not to listen to caricatures of Christians:” We’re also seen as wanting to impose our views on people. Don’t let them tell you that. We don’t impose anything. We propose. We propose an invitation to the wedding feast, to come to a better way of living. A better way of life. It’s the great proposal.” (ibid, “World”)
In our first reading today Philip goes to one person by the angel’s direction to talk with him about Christ. Earlier in Acts 8 in Samaria Philip had preached Christ in Samaria and “ the people with one accord gave heed unto the things which Philip spake” 8:6 The one person he meets is a man of great authority under Candace who was queen of the Ethiopians. Philip meets him and talks with him about Isaiah. Note the opportunity . Note the gentle persuasion. “ Do you understand what you are reading? “ How can I , except some man should guide me?” “ And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.” 8:31
In John’s Gospel today we hear of Jesus portrayed as the Vine, the true vine and the Father is the Vineyard keeper. We are the branches in the Vine of the Church of which Jesus is the Head. “ Without me ye can do nothing” Jesus says 15:5 “ Abide in me, and I in you.” The chapter should be read further because we read,” This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” 15:12
The Epistle reading highlights love as well.” Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God ..” 4:7 Today as we have opportunity to partake of the Sacrament of Holy Communion we are joined in a mutual act of love. We are persuaded to abandon hate and forsake our foolish ways by the great love of God . During the Eastertide which we follow until May 17, Ascension Day we are enjoined to say the “Christ our Passover” which is taken from I Corinithians and Romans. Here is what we have been saying: “ Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more, death hath no more dominion over him…Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
We forsake our foolish ways that we may persuade others to come to the light of God’s great love shown for us in the blessed person of the Trinity, His Son Jesus Christ. As Colson said, “ we propose an invitation to the wedding feast, to come to a better way of living. “
In our first reading today Philip goes to one person by the angel’s direction to talk with him about Christ. Earlier in Acts 8 in Samaria Philip had preached Christ in Samaria and “ the people with one accord gave heed unto the things which Philip spake” 8:6 The one person he meets is a man of great authority under Candace who was queen of the Ethiopians. Philip meets him and talks with him about Isaiah. Note the opportunity . Note the gentle persuasion. “ Do you understand what you are reading? “ How can I , except some man should guide me?” “ And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.” 8:31
In John’s Gospel today we hear of Jesus portrayed as the Vine, the true vine and the Father is the Vineyard keeper. We are the branches in the Vine of the Church of which Jesus is the Head. “ Without me ye can do nothing” Jesus says 15:5 “ Abide in me, and I in you.” The chapter should be read further because we read,” This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.” 15:12
The Epistle reading highlights love as well.” Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God ..” 4:7 Today as we have opportunity to partake of the Sacrament of Holy Communion we are joined in a mutual act of love. We are persuaded to abandon hate and forsake our foolish ways by the great love of God . During the Eastertide which we follow until May 17, Ascension Day we are enjoined to say the “Christ our Passover” which is taken from I Corinithians and Romans. Here is what we have been saying: “ Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us: therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more, death hath no more dominion over him…Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
We forsake our foolish ways that we may persuade others to come to the light of God’s great love shown for us in the blessed person of the Trinity, His Son Jesus Christ. As Colson said, “ we propose an invitation to the wedding feast, to come to a better way of living. “
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