Saturday, April 27, 2013
Fourth Sunday after Easter
{Note: the traditional calendar and lectionary refer to this as the "Fourth Sunday after Easter," not the "Fifth Sunday of Easter." For those used to the newer calendar/lectionary, this might cause some confusion.}
In reading the propers for this Sunday, I was again struck by the Epistle from St. James 1: 17-21:
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: for the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Very often we read the Epistle James noting its emphasis on good works. Of course, doing good is an important theme in the epistle, and we can see such an emphasis in the middle of this selection. However, we should notice that the passage starts with an emphasis on gifts from God, especially the "word of truth." Then at the end, we are exhorted to "receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save [our] souls." So James is as much about humble dependence on grace and the divine word as the epistles of St. Paul.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Second Sunday after Easter- Good Shepherd Sunday
The Second Sunday after Easter has commonly been known as Good Shepherd Sunday. Both the Epistle from I Peter and the Gospel from St. John refer to Jesus Christ as the great and good shepherd. He has laid down His life and taken it up again for His flock. In other years, I have commented on the Epistle and Gospel; this time, let us note the collect of the day.
Almighty God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life; Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Although the collect does not use the word "shepherd," it does point out what our Good Shepherd has done and continues to do for us. He has sacrificed Himself, given us an example and can keep giving us grace to follow where He leads. Thanks be to God. Alleluia.
Saturday, April 06, 2013
First Sunday after Easter
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