VERSE: “ALLELUIA! We know that Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. ALLELUIA! In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. ALLELUIA!” (Rom 6:9, Jn 16:33b; VERSE)
Meditate on and learn by heart the hymn marked with an asterisk (*).
766: Our Father, Who from Heaven Above
655: Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word
556*: Dear Christians, One and All, Rejoice
493: A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing
Psalm 67
This psalm is a wonderful prayer that parallels part of the Lord’s Prayer. The psalm asks that God would bless us so that we keep his name holy and are citizens of his kingdom. The natural result of living in harmony with God’s gracious will is that rather than bringing punishment on ourselves we would experience the joy of peace with God and contentment in his care. What a wonderful blessing that would be!
Acts 16:9-15
In this lesson Luke records how God directed and blessed the work of his Apostle to the Gentiles. St. Paul and his companions had intended to continue proclaiming the Gospel in Asia Minor, but in a vision God led them into Europe. At Philippi he blessed their conversation, resulting in baptisms and faith and hospitality which provided more opportunities to share the Gospel. May God help us recognize opportunities to share the good news about Jesus and bless our sharing to the glory of his name.
Revelation 21:9-14, 21-27
St. John uses sometimes strange and fantastic symbolism to describe the wonders God revealed to him. Here the beauty and glory of heaven are presented as consisting of perfect symmetry and amazing brilliance. Perhaps most importantly, the city is without a temple and neither sun nor moon is necessary because God himself is present. Imagine the joy that will be ours when we live with God in this glorious place.
John 16:23-33
In a continuation of the Gospel lesson from last week, Jesus is preparing his disciples for his departure. He does this by promising that the Father will hear their prayers in his name, by telling them he is going to the Father, and by warning them in advance of the tribulation he was about to face which his followers also would experience in this world. In this teaching we see Jesus’ compassion and love for the apostles. May this rich comfort and the clear warning of his teaching allow us, whatever comes our way in life, to know his peace.
| Monday | Leviticus 21:1-24 | Luke 12:1-12 |
| Tuesday | Leviticus 23:1-22 | Luke 12:13-34 |
| Wednesday | Leviticus 23:23-44 | Luke 12:35-53 |
| Thursday | Leviticus 24:1-23 | Luke 12:54-13:17 |
| Friday | Leviticus 26:1-20 | Luke 13:18-35 |
| Saturday | Leviticus 26:21-33, 39-44 | Luke 14:1-24 |
| Sunday | Numbers 3:1-16, 39-48 | Luke 14:25-15:10 |
THE LORD’S PRAYER
The Seventh Petition: But deliver us from evil.
What does this mean?
We pray in this petition, in summary, that our Father in heaven would rescue us from every evil of body and soul, possessions and reputation, and finally, when our last hour comes, give us a blessed end, and graciously take us from this valley of sorrow to Himself in heaven.
THE COLLECT FOR NEXT SUNDAY [Sixth Sunday of Easter] “O God, the Giver of all that is good, by Your holy inspiration grant that we may think those things that are right and by Your merciful guiding accomplish them; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.” AMEN!
