Fifth Sunday Of Easter
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series III, Cycle C
The Church Year Theological Clue
The Fourth Sunday after Easter, in the classic lectionary, carried the title of Cantate Sunday, from the introit, which began "O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvelous things, alleluia (Psalm 98)." In parts of the church, it became known as Church Music Sunday, an occasion for special musical presentations, choir concerts, and the general promotion of the church music. This was not all bad, except that the singing of the "new Easter song" sometimes got lost in the activities of the day. The Fifth Sunday of Easter does call, especially in a second reading and the Gospel for the Day, for a "new song" in light of the renewing activity of God in the resurrection of our Lord. The theological "key" is the word Easter; every time that the faithful hear that word there is cause for celebration; Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! He is about the business of making everything "new," albeit it seems to us he is taking a long time to get this process into high gear. Additionally, the Fifth Sunday of Easter ought to remind us that we are about halfway through the great 50 days of the Pasch, the most joyful portion of the year and the principal season of the church year. All of this helps believers focus their attention on the actions of God toward his people, then and now, that were, and are, done out of pure love, mercy, and grace. The Easter season is the time when the church basks in the bountiful blessings of God while, at the same time, going into its own renewed actions on behalf of God in the world. The church, when aware of the "time," focuses its attention on the world and the situation of people much in the same way that Jesus Christ gave himself so completely to others that it cost him his life. The church lives by dying - in love of the Lord and in devout service of humanity - and when God's people follow the lead of Jesus and die for others, God renews them again and they live in love, peace, and hope.
The Prayer Of The Day
This classic collect for the day, which originated in the Gelasian sacramentary, is one of the loveliest of the prayers of the church. It has been revised a bit and continues to guide the prayers of the faithful on the Fourth Sunday - now the Fifth Sunday of Easter - that comes after Easter. This prayer is most appropriate in the "aftermath" of Easter: "O God, form the minds of your faithful people into a single will. Make us love what you command and desire what you promise, that, amid all the changes of this world, our hearts may be fixed where true joy is found; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
The Book Of Common Prayer contains a "contemporary collect" that emphasizes the ultimate and final blessing of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, eternal life. In a different way, it too reminds the faithful that what has happened in Jesus' death and resurrection is of eternal significance to them and all people: "Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
(Note: One is given the impression that this collect was placed on this Sunday in anticipation that, in the final selection process, John 14 would be the Gospel for the Day. Nevertheless, it "works" on this Sunday.)
The Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 145:1-9 (E); 145:1-13 (L); 145:9-13 (RC) - All three liturgical churches agree on the use of this psalm for this Fifth Sunday of Easter, just as they did for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, year/cycle A, and, as then, by selecting different verses of the psalm for the psalmody of their worship. As a general song of thanksgiving and praise, it might be used at any time in the church year, but it is especially appropriate during Eastertide, because it takes on new meaning in light of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. It is one of the songs that the church sings to praise the Lord for all he has done in Jesus:
I will exalt you, O God my king,
and bless your name
forever and ever
Every day will I bless you
and praise your name
forever and ever.
Great is the Lord
and greatly to be praised;
there is no end to his greatness.
The Cantate theme, in the song of the church, surfaces in verse 7:
They shall publish the remembrance
of your great goodness;
They shall sing
of your righteous deeds.
And the last verse (13) that is used in the liturgy of the 22-verse psalm spells out the reality and the hope of Easter:
Your kingdom
is an everlasting kingdom;
your dominion endures
throughout all ages.
Psalm prayer 145 (from the LBW, is appropriate for Cantate, as well as for the Fifth Sunday of Easter) - "Loving Father, you are faithful in your promises and tender in your compassion. Listen to our hymn of joy, and continue to satisfy the needs of all your creatures, that all flesh may bless your name in your everlasting kingdom, where with your Son and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and forever."
The Readings
Acts 13:44-52 (E, L) - Please see the materials for the Fourth Sunday of Easter for comments and sermon suggestions on this reading.
Acts 14:8-18 (C) - In this reading, Paul and Barnabas have almost reached the outer limits of their missionary journey; at least, that's how it worked out. In Lystra, Paul healed a man who had been handicapped since birth; he was unable to walk. The people declared that the gods had "come down to them in the likeness of men." To them, Barnabas was Zeus and Paul was called Hermes. The priest of the temple of Zeus wanted to offer sacrifices to them, but Paul and Barnabas would have no part of such activities; they said, in effect, "We look like men, because we are men - like you - nothing more." They preached the gospel and explained their part in it as messengers and witnesses to the Lord but the people remembered the miracle and, apparently, gave up offering sacrifices to them with reluctance.
Acts 14:21-2 7 (RC) - The story of what happened in Lystra is continued in this reading and brought to a conclusion. Paul's old enemies among the Jews of Antioch and Iconium must have heard where he was and what he had done, because they soon arrived in Lystra, stirred up the people and convinced them that Paul was evil, and urged them to stone him; they did, and Paul was dragged outside the city and left for dead. But he wasn't dead; he arose, and went back into the city, stayed there overnight, and then went on to Derbe, where he and his companions had a successful "mission" and made many converts before they began the return journey to Antioch. In each city, they visited the faithful, encouraged them, organized the congregations, appointed and consecrated the leaders, and made their way back to their point of departure, step by step.
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 (E) - This reading was selected as an alternate reading mainly because of the 18th verse: "... but you shall love your neighbor as yourself ..." This is part of the code of ethics and morality spelled out by God and given to Moses to communicate with the people. Instead of hating one's neighbors, all people are to love them, reason with them in times of disagreements or disputes, and restrain themselves from seeking vengeance when they are harmed. To the lawyer, who quoted it to Jesus, he told the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus raised love to a higher level when he said, "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." Jesus showed the world what it means to "love your neighbor as yourself."
Revelation 21:1-5a (RC); 21:1-5 (L); 21:1-6 (C) - John's vision of "a new heaven and a new earth" is part of the promised second coming of the Lord, when all of the "last things" will happen. Everything and everyone will be made new and, in the last times, God will "dwell with them," his people, bringing heaven to earth, wiping away all tears, pain and anguish, suffering and sorrow and even destroying death completely and forever. God, through his Word and the Holy Spirit, supports us now in all tribulations and helps us endure and conquer them, but he will destroy all of these forces that threaten us and break us down only when the Lord returns according to his promise.
Revelation 19:1, 4-9 (E) - In this part of John's vision of heaven and the risen Lord, he sees the Lamb of God, Jesus and his Bride, the church, which is ready for the marriage. It is a vision of the church's response to the goodness of God that, over the years and centuries, prepares it for the final consummation when there will no longer be a church triumphant and a church militant. An angel of the Lord dictated to John: "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb," adding, "These are true words of God." The message to the church is that those who are faithful servants and regularly find their places at the Table of the Lord will be included in the guest list.
John 13:31-33a, 34-35 (RC); 13:31-35 (E, L, C) - As so often happens, the Gospel for the Day is the only reading on which the four lectionaries are in total agreement today. This, according to St. John, is a farewell speech that Jesus made to his disciples; his passion, death, and resurrection are in the future (although the church has gone through Lent, celebrated his death and resurrection, and anticipates Pentecost, its season, and the parousia). The first part of this pericope might be read more properly during Lent, but the second section speaks succinctly to the people who believe and say, "Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!" To the faithful, Jesus says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you that you also love one another. By this all men (people) will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." That love is evident in the gatherings of the church - the eucharist and the agape meal - and in the exodus of the people of God into the world and daily life. The world will know that people are Christians and disciples of Christ "by their love."
Sermon Suggestions, Synopses, Sketches, Stories
John 13:31-33a, 34-35 (RC); 13:31-35 (E, L, C) - "The Sell-Out." - Jesus was about to be sold-out, betrayed by one of the Twelve, and soon would be put to death. He was about to show his disciples how much he loved them and how much God loved all the people of the world. Jesus' death is a lavish demonstration of the love of God for his creatures; Jesus loved people enough to die for them.
In an episode of the television show, "Jake and the Fat Man," Tommy, a Chinese-American police lieutenant in the Honolulu police force, and the estranged son of the head of organized crime in Hawaii, is tricked and trapped, along with his father, Henry, and Jake Styles, by enemies out to destroy them. When the shooting starts, Henry throws his body in front of his son, suffers a mortal wound, and dies on the scene. The Fat Man, District Attorney Jason McCabe, who has arrived with other police officers, listens to Tommy: "He put his body in front of me ... he died for me." He replies, "I hope that's the thing you remember - that much love."
1. In his suffering and death on the cross, Jesus proved not only how much he loved God, but how much he loved human beings, as well. The cross is the measure of Christ's love.
2. It is that love, which prompted Jesus to give all that he could for others - his very life - that stirs up the memory of the faithful every time they see a cross. The cross is a sign of "that much love."
3. And so, those who declare that they love the Lord have to prove it, in their relationships with others, not simply people in the church, but all people. The cross tells believers that they should love all people as Jesus has loved them. (I might bring in Leviticus 19 at this point, if I were preaching from the lectionary of The Book Of Common Prayer. Jesus expands the commandment of God to Moses that people are to love one another; he gives it new meaning by his passion and death.)
4. Love marks people as faithful Christians; it tells the world that we are disciples of Jesus Christ. The cross calls for total commitment to Christ and sacrificial love for all people.
5. How much love? The cross says, "That much love."
Acts 13:44-52 (E, L) - This was one of the readings considered in last Sunday's pericopes. Please see the Fifth Sunday of Easter for homiletical comments and ideas.
Acts 14:8-18 (C); 14:21-27 - "Aftermath Of A Miracle."
1. Backfire! A miracle of healing, when Paul healed the handicapped man who was unable to walk, made believers out of most of the people in the city of Lystra. The trouble was that they thought Paul and Barnabas were Greek gods, who had come down to be with them. Only gods had the power to heal miraculously. The miracle backfired.
2. Blasphemy! Paul and Barnabas felt like utter failures when their witness to the gospel made blasphemers out of the people they intended to convert to Christianity. They tore their clothing - a sign of repentance - something that a god never has to do.
3. Betrayal! Their Jewish enemies from Antioch and Iconium turned converts into betrayers who stoned Paul, dragged him outside the city, and left him for dead.
4. Believers! Paul wasn't dead, so he went back into the city and the next day left it on his return trip to Antioch. He preached the good news, which strengthened the faithful and made believers out of others. Miracles might misfire, but the Word, properly proclaimed, never backfires.
Revelation 19:1, 4-9 (E) - "The Wedding Invitation."
1. There is to be a wedding in heaven - Jesus and his bride, the church, according to John's vision.
2. The church, through worship, preaching, and loving service, is preparing for that great event.
3. Invitations to the marriage feast will be sent to those who have heard and believed and regularly and faithfully eat and drink at the Table of the Lord.
4. God himself has said that this will take place and when all is ready. God's word is truth.
Acts 13 (alternate second reading - E)
Revelation 21:1-5 - "A New Heaven And Earth."
1. Sounds like ecology, doesn't it? Renew the ozone and the atmosphere, care for the earth (That was Joseph Sitler's call, The Care Of The Earth And Other Sermons, almost 40 years ago). Or perhaps it's a new and sharper vision, as through the space-based Hubble telescope.
2. It is a vision, but a vision of things to come and how they will be at the return of Jesus Christ.
3. In the event of Jesus' return there will be a consummation, in which God will dwell with his people, banish pain, suffering and sorrow, and usher in his everlasting kingdom with "liberty and justice for all!"
4. So we dare to pray, "Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!
The Fourth Sunday after Easter, in the classic lectionary, carried the title of Cantate Sunday, from the introit, which began "O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvelous things, alleluia (Psalm 98)." In parts of the church, it became known as Church Music Sunday, an occasion for special musical presentations, choir concerts, and the general promotion of the church music. This was not all bad, except that the singing of the "new Easter song" sometimes got lost in the activities of the day. The Fifth Sunday of Easter does call, especially in a second reading and the Gospel for the Day, for a "new song" in light of the renewing activity of God in the resurrection of our Lord. The theological "key" is the word Easter; every time that the faithful hear that word there is cause for celebration; Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed! He is about the business of making everything "new," albeit it seems to us he is taking a long time to get this process into high gear. Additionally, the Fifth Sunday of Easter ought to remind us that we are about halfway through the great 50 days of the Pasch, the most joyful portion of the year and the principal season of the church year. All of this helps believers focus their attention on the actions of God toward his people, then and now, that were, and are, done out of pure love, mercy, and grace. The Easter season is the time when the church basks in the bountiful blessings of God while, at the same time, going into its own renewed actions on behalf of God in the world. The church, when aware of the "time," focuses its attention on the world and the situation of people much in the same way that Jesus Christ gave himself so completely to others that it cost him his life. The church lives by dying - in love of the Lord and in devout service of humanity - and when God's people follow the lead of Jesus and die for others, God renews them again and they live in love, peace, and hope.
The Prayer Of The Day
This classic collect for the day, which originated in the Gelasian sacramentary, is one of the loveliest of the prayers of the church. It has been revised a bit and continues to guide the prayers of the faithful on the Fourth Sunday - now the Fifth Sunday of Easter - that comes after Easter. This prayer is most appropriate in the "aftermath" of Easter: "O God, form the minds of your faithful people into a single will. Make us love what you command and desire what you promise, that, amid all the changes of this world, our hearts may be fixed where true joy is found; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
The Book Of Common Prayer contains a "contemporary collect" that emphasizes the ultimate and final blessing of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, eternal life. In a different way, it too reminds the faithful that what has happened in Jesus' death and resurrection is of eternal significance to them and all people: "Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen."
(Note: One is given the impression that this collect was placed on this Sunday in anticipation that, in the final selection process, John 14 would be the Gospel for the Day. Nevertheless, it "works" on this Sunday.)
The Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 145:1-9 (E); 145:1-13 (L); 145:9-13 (RC) - All three liturgical churches agree on the use of this psalm for this Fifth Sunday of Easter, just as they did for the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, year/cycle A, and, as then, by selecting different verses of the psalm for the psalmody of their worship. As a general song of thanksgiving and praise, it might be used at any time in the church year, but it is especially appropriate during Eastertide, because it takes on new meaning in light of Jesus' resurrection from the dead. It is one of the songs that the church sings to praise the Lord for all he has done in Jesus:
I will exalt you, O God my king,
and bless your name
forever and ever
Every day will I bless you
and praise your name
forever and ever.
Great is the Lord
and greatly to be praised;
there is no end to his greatness.
The Cantate theme, in the song of the church, surfaces in verse 7:
They shall publish the remembrance
of your great goodness;
They shall sing
of your righteous deeds.
And the last verse (13) that is used in the liturgy of the 22-verse psalm spells out the reality and the hope of Easter:
Your kingdom
is an everlasting kingdom;
your dominion endures
throughout all ages.
Psalm prayer 145 (from the LBW, is appropriate for Cantate, as well as for the Fifth Sunday of Easter) - "Loving Father, you are faithful in your promises and tender in your compassion. Listen to our hymn of joy, and continue to satisfy the needs of all your creatures, that all flesh may bless your name in your everlasting kingdom, where with your Son and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, now and forever."
The Readings
Acts 13:44-52 (E, L) - Please see the materials for the Fourth Sunday of Easter for comments and sermon suggestions on this reading.
Acts 14:8-18 (C) - In this reading, Paul and Barnabas have almost reached the outer limits of their missionary journey; at least, that's how it worked out. In Lystra, Paul healed a man who had been handicapped since birth; he was unable to walk. The people declared that the gods had "come down to them in the likeness of men." To them, Barnabas was Zeus and Paul was called Hermes. The priest of the temple of Zeus wanted to offer sacrifices to them, but Paul and Barnabas would have no part of such activities; they said, in effect, "We look like men, because we are men - like you - nothing more." They preached the gospel and explained their part in it as messengers and witnesses to the Lord but the people remembered the miracle and, apparently, gave up offering sacrifices to them with reluctance.
Acts 14:21-2 7 (RC) - The story of what happened in Lystra is continued in this reading and brought to a conclusion. Paul's old enemies among the Jews of Antioch and Iconium must have heard where he was and what he had done, because they soon arrived in Lystra, stirred up the people and convinced them that Paul was evil, and urged them to stone him; they did, and Paul was dragged outside the city and left for dead. But he wasn't dead; he arose, and went back into the city, stayed there overnight, and then went on to Derbe, where he and his companions had a successful "mission" and made many converts before they began the return journey to Antioch. In each city, they visited the faithful, encouraged them, organized the congregations, appointed and consecrated the leaders, and made their way back to their point of departure, step by step.
Leviticus 19:1-2, 9-18 (E) - This reading was selected as an alternate reading mainly because of the 18th verse: "... but you shall love your neighbor as yourself ..." This is part of the code of ethics and morality spelled out by God and given to Moses to communicate with the people. Instead of hating one's neighbors, all people are to love them, reason with them in times of disagreements or disputes, and restrain themselves from seeking vengeance when they are harmed. To the lawyer, who quoted it to Jesus, he told the story of the Good Samaritan. Jesus raised love to a higher level when he said, "A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." Jesus showed the world what it means to "love your neighbor as yourself."
Revelation 21:1-5a (RC); 21:1-5 (L); 21:1-6 (C) - John's vision of "a new heaven and a new earth" is part of the promised second coming of the Lord, when all of the "last things" will happen. Everything and everyone will be made new and, in the last times, God will "dwell with them," his people, bringing heaven to earth, wiping away all tears, pain and anguish, suffering and sorrow and even destroying death completely and forever. God, through his Word and the Holy Spirit, supports us now in all tribulations and helps us endure and conquer them, but he will destroy all of these forces that threaten us and break us down only when the Lord returns according to his promise.
Revelation 19:1, 4-9 (E) - In this part of John's vision of heaven and the risen Lord, he sees the Lamb of God, Jesus and his Bride, the church, which is ready for the marriage. It is a vision of the church's response to the goodness of God that, over the years and centuries, prepares it for the final consummation when there will no longer be a church triumphant and a church militant. An angel of the Lord dictated to John: "Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb," adding, "These are true words of God." The message to the church is that those who are faithful servants and regularly find their places at the Table of the Lord will be included in the guest list.
John 13:31-33a, 34-35 (RC); 13:31-35 (E, L, C) - As so often happens, the Gospel for the Day is the only reading on which the four lectionaries are in total agreement today. This, according to St. John, is a farewell speech that Jesus made to his disciples; his passion, death, and resurrection are in the future (although the church has gone through Lent, celebrated his death and resurrection, and anticipates Pentecost, its season, and the parousia). The first part of this pericope might be read more properly during Lent, but the second section speaks succinctly to the people who believe and say, "Christ is risen! He is risen, indeed!" To the faithful, Jesus says, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you that you also love one another. By this all men (people) will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." That love is evident in the gatherings of the church - the eucharist and the agape meal - and in the exodus of the people of God into the world and daily life. The world will know that people are Christians and disciples of Christ "by their love."
Sermon Suggestions, Synopses, Sketches, Stories
John 13:31-33a, 34-35 (RC); 13:31-35 (E, L, C) - "The Sell-Out." - Jesus was about to be sold-out, betrayed by one of the Twelve, and soon would be put to death. He was about to show his disciples how much he loved them and how much God loved all the people of the world. Jesus' death is a lavish demonstration of the love of God for his creatures; Jesus loved people enough to die for them.
In an episode of the television show, "Jake and the Fat Man," Tommy, a Chinese-American police lieutenant in the Honolulu police force, and the estranged son of the head of organized crime in Hawaii, is tricked and trapped, along with his father, Henry, and Jake Styles, by enemies out to destroy them. When the shooting starts, Henry throws his body in front of his son, suffers a mortal wound, and dies on the scene. The Fat Man, District Attorney Jason McCabe, who has arrived with other police officers, listens to Tommy: "He put his body in front of me ... he died for me." He replies, "I hope that's the thing you remember - that much love."
1. In his suffering and death on the cross, Jesus proved not only how much he loved God, but how much he loved human beings, as well. The cross is the measure of Christ's love.
2. It is that love, which prompted Jesus to give all that he could for others - his very life - that stirs up the memory of the faithful every time they see a cross. The cross is a sign of "that much love."
3. And so, those who declare that they love the Lord have to prove it, in their relationships with others, not simply people in the church, but all people. The cross tells believers that they should love all people as Jesus has loved them. (I might bring in Leviticus 19 at this point, if I were preaching from the lectionary of The Book Of Common Prayer. Jesus expands the commandment of God to Moses that people are to love one another; he gives it new meaning by his passion and death.)
4. Love marks people as faithful Christians; it tells the world that we are disciples of Jesus Christ. The cross calls for total commitment to Christ and sacrificial love for all people.
5. How much love? The cross says, "That much love."
Acts 13:44-52 (E, L) - This was one of the readings considered in last Sunday's pericopes. Please see the Fifth Sunday of Easter for homiletical comments and ideas.
Acts 14:8-18 (C); 14:21-27 - "Aftermath Of A Miracle."
1. Backfire! A miracle of healing, when Paul healed the handicapped man who was unable to walk, made believers out of most of the people in the city of Lystra. The trouble was that they thought Paul and Barnabas were Greek gods, who had come down to be with them. Only gods had the power to heal miraculously. The miracle backfired.
2. Blasphemy! Paul and Barnabas felt like utter failures when their witness to the gospel made blasphemers out of the people they intended to convert to Christianity. They tore their clothing - a sign of repentance - something that a god never has to do.
3. Betrayal! Their Jewish enemies from Antioch and Iconium turned converts into betrayers who stoned Paul, dragged him outside the city, and left him for dead.
4. Believers! Paul wasn't dead, so he went back into the city and the next day left it on his return trip to Antioch. He preached the good news, which strengthened the faithful and made believers out of others. Miracles might misfire, but the Word, properly proclaimed, never backfires.
Revelation 19:1, 4-9 (E) - "The Wedding Invitation."
1. There is to be a wedding in heaven - Jesus and his bride, the church, according to John's vision.
2. The church, through worship, preaching, and loving service, is preparing for that great event.
3. Invitations to the marriage feast will be sent to those who have heard and believed and regularly and faithfully eat and drink at the Table of the Lord.
4. God himself has said that this will take place and when all is ready. God's word is truth.
Acts 13 (alternate second reading - E)
Revelation 21:1-5 - "A New Heaven And Earth."
1. Sounds like ecology, doesn't it? Renew the ozone and the atmosphere, care for the earth (That was Joseph Sitler's call, The Care Of The Earth And Other Sermons, almost 40 years ago). Or perhaps it's a new and sharper vision, as through the space-based Hubble telescope.
2. It is a vision, but a vision of things to come and how they will be at the return of Jesus Christ.
3. In the event of Jesus' return there will be a consummation, in which God will dwell with his people, banish pain, suffering and sorrow, and usher in his everlasting kingdom with "liberty and justice for all!"
4. So we dare to pray, "Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly!
