Easter 5 Part 2

Lectionary Reading Easter 5 part 2    10 May

Collect. Almighty and everlasting God; you are always more ready to hear than we are to pray, and give more than either we desire or deserve. Pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid and giving us those things which are not worthy to ask, save through the merits and meditations of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen (The Methodist Service Book)

Read 1 Peter 2:2-10 Peter is asking that each believer should develop a genuine appetite for teaching that is not adulterated in any way, Just because it is “milk” does not mean it has no cutting edge, no it is teaching that will allow the hearer to grow on into maturity: This maturity is needed if we are to truly become living stones. The “stone” here being described is a stone that was fit for a purpose such as a mill stone or a grinding stone. In this case it is describing a building block that had been hewed and shaped in order to fit into its rightful place. This kind of shaping is not always easy for sometimes some rough edges will need to be ground away. The stone may have had a natural shape but that natural shape will have to be adjusted in order to be in its proper place. Some people are known for plain speaking but there is a fine line between plain speaking and rude insensitivity, maturity is about developing character so that the growing believer is fully under Christ’s control at all times. A living stone in the holy temple that Peter is describing would need to be mature in order to be carefully shaped. This shaping is not a request but a command; it is part of what every believer must become in order to take their place in the living temple. As the reading goes on to say, once we were nobodies but now because of Jesus Christ we are somebody’s. Having become “somebody’s” some changes have had to take place and if the command of the first verse is considered there are probably some more that still have to take place. For all that serious stuff this is a joyous end to this reading for who cannot experience a huge surge of excitement with Peter’s closing verse; Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.{ 1 Peter 2:10}

Prayer. We thank you Merciful Lord for calling us together into your living temple. We thank you again and again for the sacrifice that Jesus Christ has won for us; He has set us free to be shaped to serve you and we pray that we may continue to develop and grow in order to serve you even more effectively.

Read John 14:1-14  Who has not heard this reading read at funerals multiple times, “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places”; Mansions as the King James famously translates. The Greek word used here for ‘mansions or dwelling places is mone (mon-ay) which means a place to stay. It carries the meaning of a place to stay that is temporary, like a motel room on a journey. This meaning comes through more strikingly when we further read that Jesus goes on to say that after awhile he will come and take “you”, to a place that he has prepared. So it envisages a two stage journey. Jesus is preparing his disciples for his death and resurrection, and for his handing over responsibility of taking out the message of the gospel. As such it is quite an appropriate reading when saying goodbye to a loved one. “My Father’s house”, is a phrase which in the gospel is often referring to the temple, the place where God’s presence was most closely experienced. ( c/f Luke 2:49 & John 2:16) As such the promise to have a room there is to have a place which is close to God, a place of security and rest. Jesus then adds the promise to come and gather together those so resting and take them to a final place to be with him, “take you to myself” is the conclusion. This holds a reference to the promise of resurrection on the last day when all God’s people will be restored.(c/f John 11:24) Struggling to comprehend, the disciples through Thomas, look for assurance which leads Jesus to make the statement about being the way, the truth and the life. It is not a pathway but a relationship as Jesus says, “…who has seen me has seen the Father”. Through relationship the connection is made, a connection that will lead each believer into that comfort and care that Jesus has finally and conclusively prepared. One does not know what folk at a funeral hear in this reading but it does speak a word of comfort for those who love God. In a dispassionate way as we read this passage today it does in many ways offer a great sense of security for the future for it promises a continued closeness with Jesus Christ through all circumstances, even through death. Are you feeling alone, isolated, struggling with despair, Jesus words speak firmly to those needs also,  “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14:1-2

Through belief in Jesus, Jesus is always close to support and help.

Prayer. Holy God, once more you have brought us to the beginning of a new day, filled with love and promise through your son Jesus Christ our Lord. No matter what our circumstances, guide us through this day trusting in your strength alone. Help us to listen to your voice as you lead us on; Help us to keep our thoughts centred on all that Jesus has won for us through his death and resurrection; Help us to make the most of our opportunities to love and serve you by loving and serving others. Though we are restricted and often limited in our contacts, yet through prayer we are inseparably joined to you and to each other, so we pray for those we love but cannot join. We pray for those for whom this time is a serious and even dangerous time. Watch over all who have particular requirements, known only to you, strengthen those who are in need of support and Lord we pray that you would hasten the day when the restrictions that we face may be put aside and we are free to enjoy the wonders of your creation without hindrance. This we ask through Jesus, Lord and saviour. Amen

Almighty God, you have loved us with an everlasting love and have graciously given to us the gift of life. We thank you for our Mothers who have nurtured in us the life you gave. We pray for young mothers who are finding the times hard and the days long and exhausting. We pray for mothers who have grown old and feel they can no longer contribute to the wellbeing of the family. Grant we pray that they may feel the warmth of the love that their families have for them and to know that being is more powerful than doing. Help us all to live out our days in wonder and praise of your protective care of us. Into your hands we commit all those whom we love and pray that they may draw near to you in good times and when times are hard. May peace surround us all as we rest in your presence. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen