Lectionary Reading Easter 3 26 April
Collect. Lord God Almighty, the radiance of your glory lights up our hearts. Enable us to truly understand the waters in which we were cleansed, the Holy Spirit by which we were reborn, and the blood by which we were redeemed; that in this earthly pilgrimage we may walk more closely with our risen Saviour and Lord; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen
Read: 1 Peter 1:17-23
When Peter writes about calling on God as Father it is clear that he has a particular understanding of whom this Father is, namely the one who creates us and furthermore gives us a new birth into a living hope through Jesus Christ. Peter then is not thinking of an indulgent parent who simply offers us everything but one who having created us looks to us to live in harmony with him and his wishes.
Peter begins the chapter by reminding his readers of their new status, and because of their new status they can call God Father. However having this new status brings with it new responsibilities and Peter wants to remind readers of these. In recent times Harry, Prince and Duke of Sussex has renounced his royal titles and privileges and chosen to be just an “ordinary” citizen. Just a week or so ago Harry chose to make some disparaging comments about the government in the UK. The content of the comments is not important, the point I am trying to make is that although he has a new status, the habits and privileges of the old status linger on. That is the point that Peter is trying to make; while our status has gone from “ordinary” to “royal” (c/f 1Peter 2:9) we can easily slip back into behaviour more akin to ordinary than royal. Peter wants to remind this royal family of their need to have a deep respect for the one whom they call on as Father. They do this by both being, and also doing, what is appropriate for family members. Peter goes on to remind the family members that we are not children by right but by choice, God’s choice. This was a choice made from the very beginning of creation, thus in Jesus Christ we are indeed a people of privilege and are challenged to respect both the choice and the privilege.
Prayer. Holy Father, mindful of the privilege that is ours through Jesus Christ we lift our hands and our hearts to you in wonder and in praise. We thank you for the blessings that come to us as your children. Grant that we may always live under the guidance of your Holy Spirit and so never fail to live out the promise that is ours. Keep us at all times, mindful of the needs of those around us, using our gifts for the good of all. In the midst of trouble grant to us an unwavering faith and a generous spirit that our whole being may in every way show honour and glory to you for the great salvation that Jesus Christ has won. Amen
Read: Luke 24:13-35 The two disciples walking to Emmaus is a story recorded by Luke but also seems to have been known more widely as the longer ending to Mark also makes reference to the episode. (c/f Mark 16:12) The risen Jesus joins the two on the way but though they welcome him as a fellow traveller they do not recognise that it is Jesus. From the snippets of conversation we sense that the two walking along are rather sad. They had begun with high hopes that this Jesus would be the one to rescue Israel from the foreign invaders and place the nation back under the lordship of God. For many years the faithful people of Israel has held out hopes that a great leader would emerge to release them from oppression. Jesus’ death had crushed that hope. However a glimmer of hope did remain for they relate the story that some women from the group had found that the tomb was empty. Luke makes it clear that these two are at a loss to understand just what these events indicated. Jesus begins with Moses and the Exodus story and unfolds how many of the ancient scriptures relate to the current events. Still they do not see Jesus even though, as they recall later, their hearts burned within them as the story and the prophecies were explained. Only when they invite him in and begin to share a meal together do they recognise this stranger is Jesus. It is in the intimacy of sharing a meal that the revealing occurs but also Luke notes for us that understanding the scriptures also played a part in the recognition of Jesus. As we saw in the reading from Peter above and now here in Luke, the events surrounding Jesus and his victory were actions not merely by chance or unexplained, they were carefully set out, laid down in the ultimate plan of God for the redemption of the world.
Prayer.
Gracious Lord we thank you for your plan to present Jesus as Lord and Saviour, proclaimer of your kingdom. Help us as we walk along life’s pathway not to miss the presence of Jesus but to see and experience him in every situation. May his presence guide us and his teaching instruct us, that we may be equipped with all wisdom and discernment to live the life which honours you. Though the whole world lies under the grip of the present pandemic, help us not to lose hope but to look constantly to you for protection, health and strength. May we be of good courage, knowing that you are the world’s one true Saviour. We pray for leaders in all the nations, grant to them helpful insights and a wisdom which comes from you. Protect those who serve in hospitals and places of healing. Comfort those who have lost loved ones and strengthen those for whom this time, is a time of difficult trial. Above all help us all to turn our thoughts to you as Creator and Sustainer of life in all its fullness, and to give you praise and honour, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
ericjkirkham.com 