The Lord be with you!
Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

Happy Mother’s Day this coming weekend!

We’re continuing the 7-week Easter season, and the Collect of the Day clues us in to what’s ahead, that is: the Ascension of our Lord and the Time of the Church, which would encompass all those Sundays after Pentecost.

Let us pray:
O God, You make the minds of Your faithful to be of one will.
Grant that we may love what You have commanded and desire what You promise, that among the many changes of this world our hearts may be fixed where true joys are found;
through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

Acts 6:1-9; 7:2a, 51-60
The deacons were chosen in the early Christian Church in order to help members in need with the necessary works of love while the Apostles concentrated on the faith-creating Word that they were to preach for the benefit of all. Even though he was not originally sent to preach, Stephen nevertheless was given a Holy Spirit-filled boldness to confess the faith in the face of opposition. God granted Stephen the distinction and the blessing to be the first martyr of the faith, post-Pentecost. As he died by stoning, Stephen prayed for the forgiveness of the ignorance of those who were killing him, much as when Jesus Himself said on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”

1 Peter 2:2-10
Compared to last Sunday, which had an explicit Shepherd theme, we have backed up to the beginning of First Peter 2, so that we have Peter’s often-quoted words about the royal priesthood of baptized believers in Christ. It can make us feel good, even important, for us to relish in these titles: chosen nation, special people, spiritual house. However, we must remember that for us to be living stones, we must remain connected to Jesus Christ, the chief cornerstone. We cannot go it alone on our own without growing in the knowledge of our Savior, and still expect to cash in on our exalted baptismal status. As verse two points out, we must ever remain newborn babes, craving the pure milk of God’s forgiving Word.

John 14:1-14
John recorded some very comforting words of Jesus that were spoken on the night when He was betrayed. The entire chapter 14 of his Gospel speaks peace to our souls. Jesus assures the disciples that He is the perfect revelation of the heavenly Father. The Son is one essence with the Father—one God. He became Man and willingly submitted Himself to the will of the Father, and the Father likewise endowed the Son with His authority, yet their equality was not changed. And when Jesus goes to the Father (referring to His death, resurrection and ascension), that does not rob us of our unity with God, but instead it makes that unity stronger and permanent.

In a time when uncertainty, doubt and negativity inhabit our daily routines, we hear our Lord’s reassuring words: Let not your hearts be troubled. There are many changes in this world, as the Collect we prayed points out. Through many changes in our lives, many of us have relied on the support, love and care of mom. From the very first days of life, a baby craves the nourishment only a mother can provide, both physically and emotionally. We thank God for the precious gift of mothers, and we pray His everlasting love to support them for the hard work that their important vocation requires. The other vocation that we should cherish is the calling of faith in Christ, as this calling through our baptism assures us that we are chosen people, special to God, paid for by the blood of Christ. Enlightened with this faith, we like infants crave the pure milk of the Word that continually comforts us with Jesus’ assurance. This builds on the truth last week that our Good Shepherd calls us each by name; we belong in His flock forever.

Hymn 646, stanza 2:
God has called you out of darkness/ Into His most marv’lous light;
Brought His truth to life within you, Turned your blindness into sight.
Let your light so shine around you/ That God’s name is glorified
And all find fresh hope and purpose In Christ Jesus crucified.

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

Christ is Risen!
He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia.
Happy Mother’s Day!
God bless you!

Pr. Stirdivant