3rd Sunday of Easter, 30 Apr – Luke 24:13-35 ~ teach me and correct me

Third Sunday of Easter

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Prayer

Lord Jesus, send your Spirit to help me read the Scriptures with the same mind that you read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus.

In the light of God’s written Word, you helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of your sentence and death. And so, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope became for them the source of life and of resurrection.

Create in me a silence that I too may listen to your voice in the Scriptures and make sense of the world around me. Awaken me to the power and force of your resurrection that I may witness first-hand that you are alive and present among us today.

I ask this of you, who lives and reigns with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen
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“His Name” – Urban Rescue

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Reading: Luke 24:13-35 (NLT)

That same day two of Jesus’ followers were walking to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem. As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus himself suddenly came and began walking with them. But God kept them from recognizing him.

He asked them, “What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?”

They stopped short, sadness written across their faces. Then one of them, Cleopas, replied, “You must be the only person in Jerusalem who hasn’t heard about all the things that have happened there the last few days.”

“What things?” Jesus asked.

“The things that happened to Jesus, the man from Nazareth,” they said. “He was a prophet who did powerful miracles, and he was a mighty teacher in the eyes of God and all the people. But our leading priests and other religious leaders handed him over to be condemned to death, and they crucified him. We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. This all happened three days ago.

“Then some women from our group of his followers were at his tomb early this morning, and they came back with an amazing report. They said his body was missing, and they had seen angels who told them Jesus is alive! Some of our men ran out to see, and sure enough, his body was gone, just as the women had said.”

Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures. Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering his glory?” Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.

By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat, he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them. Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him. And at that moment he disappeared!

They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.”

Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread.
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Reflection & Prayer:

On this Third Sunday of Easter, I declare:

Christ is risen from the dead!
He has brought us victory over sin and death!
Alleluia!

Gracious God: Thank you for pursuing me and walking with me at times when I least expect it.

+ You alone can satisfy the hungers of my heart; you have the words of eternal life.

+ You revealed yourself through the Scriptures; teach me what is true and make me realize what is wrong in my life. Correct me when I am wrong and teach me to do what is right.

+ You passed on the Good News of Easter through trustworthy witnesses; keep me faithful to these truths, and give me the saving wisdom that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.

+ You revealed your presence in the breaking of the bread; open my eyes today that I may recognize your presence in Holy Communion.

Gracious God: Every day that I walk with you is a life-changing adventure. Give me the opportunity to tell others what I have seen and heard. And prepare the hearts of those who listen to receive all that you have for them. I ask this through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.
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“Our Story” – Urban Rescue

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Concluding Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ: thank you for the Word that has enabled me to better understand the will of the Father. May your Spirit enlighten my actions and grant me the strength to practice what your Word has revealed to me. To the glory of your name – you who lives and reigns with the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

3rd Sunday of Easter, 10 April: Acts 5:27-41; Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19 ~ love, feed, and follow

Third Sunday of Easter

Joyfully we worship God who raised our Savior from the dead.

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening Sentence:

God of life, in your risen Son you reveal your abiding presence among us and summon those reborn in him to lives of worship and service. Fill us with joy as we come before you today. And, grant us courage and zeal in witnessing before the world to your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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“Happy Day” – Tim Hughes

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A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles: Acts 5:27-32, 40-41 (NLT)
[Peter and the apostles are reprimanded for teaching about Jesus.]

Then they brought the apostles before the high council, where the high priest confronted them. “We gave you strict orders never again to teach in this man’s name!” he said. “Instead, you have filled all Jerusalem with your teaching about him, and you want to make us responsible for his death!”

But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”
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They called in the apostles and had them flogged. Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go.

The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 30:2, 4, 5-6, 11-12

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health.
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Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name.
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For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning. When I was prosperous, I said, “Nothing can stop me now!”
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You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!
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Psalm 30 – Kol Simcha

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A Reading from the Revelations of John: Revelation 5:11-14 NLT (NLT)
[John shares his vision of heaven.]

Then I looked again, and I heard the voices of thousands and millions of angels around the throne and of the living beings and the elders. And they sang in a mighty chorus:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered — to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.”

And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:

“Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever.”

And the four living beings said, “Amen!” And the twenty-four elders fell down and worshiped the Lamb.
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A Reading from the Gospels: John 20:19-31 (NLT)
[Jesus appears for a third time to the disciples.]

Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee. This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples.

Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows, have you caught any fish?”

“No,” they replied.

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread.

“Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.

“Now come and have some breakfast!” Jesus said. None of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Then Jesus served them the bread and the fish. This was the third time Jesus had appeared to his disciples since he had been raised from the dead.

After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”

“Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Jesus repeated the question: “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

“Yes, Lord,” Peter said, “you know I love you.”

“Then take care of my sheep,” Jesus said.

A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.

“I tell you the truth, when you were young, you were able to do as you liked; you dressed yourself and went wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and others will dress you and take you where you don’t want to go.” Jesus said this to let him know by what kind of death he would glorify God. Then Jesus told him, “Follow me.”
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Spiritual Song: “Feed Me Jesus” – Sister Rosetta Tharpe

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Intercessory Prayer:

Heavenly Father: rescue us from all our distress, and hear the prayers of your people.

+ That Christians who suffer for their faith may have courage…. Lord, hear us.
+ That missionaries may have the conviction and zeal of the early disciples…. Lord, hear us.
+ That fishermen and those who work on the sea may have divine protection…. Lord, hear us.
+ That small farmers may receive a just reward for their precious labor…. Lord, hear us.
+ That those who cook and serve food may themselves be sustained by your Spirit…. Lord, hear us.
+ That the vision of heaven given in the Scriptures may comfort the sick and dying…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all who have died may join those gathered around the throne of the Lamb…. Lord, hear us.

Gracious God, you listen and have compassion on your people: help us and guide us all the days of our life, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Hymn: “Revelation Song” – Jennie Lee Riddle

Benediction:

Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 7:12)

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

3rd Sunday of Easter: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19; Ps 4:2, 4, 7-9; 1 Jn 2:1-5; Lk 24:35-48 ~ joyful wonder

Third Sunday of Easter

+ In the name the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening prayer:

God of all the prophets, You fulfilled Your promise of old that Your Christ would suffer and so rise to glory. Open our minds to understand the Scriptures and fill us with joyful wonder in the presence of the risen Christ, that we may be His witnesses to the farthest reaches of the earth. We ask this through Jesus Christ, the firstborn from the dead, who lives and reigns with You now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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A Reading from the Book of Acts: Acts 3:13-15, 17-19 (NLT)

“Resurrection” by Slovenian sculptor Andrej Ajdič, placed in Medjugorje, 1998 — “Resurrection”
by Slovenian sculptor Andrej Ajdič, placed in Medjugorje, 1998

For it is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob — the God of all our ancestors — who has brought glory to his servant Jesus by doing this. This is the same Jesus whom you handed over and rejected before Pilate, despite Pilate’s decision to release him. You rejected this holy, righteous one and instead demanded the release of a murderer. You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. And we are witnesses of this fact!
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“Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah — that he must suffer these things. Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 4:2, 4, 7-9 (NLT)

How long will you people ruin my reputation? How long will you make groundless accusations? How long will you continue your lies?
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Don’t sin by letting anger control you. Think about it overnight and remain silent.
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You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.
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A Reading from the Letters: 1 John 2:1-5 (NLT)

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins — and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 24:35-48 (NLT)

Then the two from Emmaus told their story of how Jesus had appeared to them as they were walking along the road, and how they had recognized him as he was breaking the bread. And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost!

“Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet.

Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched.

Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things.
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Intercessions:

The Lord grants favors to those whom he loves. Lord, hear our prayers:

+ For all who follow Christ – that our faith in the resurrection of Jesus may deepen…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who renewed their baptismal promises at Easter – that any lingering doubts may be dispersed…. Lord, hear us.
+ For missionaries and all who spread the Good News about Jesus – that the joy of Easter may give them fresh zeal…. Lord, hear us.
+ For Christians who suffer for their faith – that the Risen Lord may give them courage…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the Jewish people, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – that they may arrive at the fullness of redemption…. Lord, hear us.
+ For people who suffer, in mind, body or spirit – that they may experience divine healing and new strength…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have recently died in Christ – that God’s light may shine on them perpetually…. Lord, hear us.

O God our salvation, Your glory shines throughout the world to bring joy to Your people: hear our prayers and grant us Your all-powerful grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Benediction:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

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