Easter 7A (RCL) – A Preacher’s Ponderings

They are in the world

Seventh Sunday of Easter; 21 May 2023; Easter 7A (RCL); Acts 1:6-14; Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11; John 17:1-11.

Easter 7 is the Sunday after the Feast of the Ascension, and we catch the theme of that feast in the reading from Acts. On Ascension Day itself, the Gospel reading for the celebration of the Eucharist comes from Luke’s Gospel, and narrates Jesus’ ascension into heaven, although he delays it by forty days in the Book of Acts (which is why it falls on Thursday in the sixth week of Easter — forty days after Easter). Luke’s narration of the ascension alludes to the apotheosis of Augustus, giving it a decidedly “political” flavor. (See “The Apotheosis of Washington” in the dome of the Capitol rotunda).

The glory of gift

The Seventh Sunday of Easter; Easter 7A (RCL); Acts 1:6=14; Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36; 1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11, John 17:1-11.

Chapter 17 of John’s Gospel has been called Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer. In it, he consecrates himself to God on behalf of his disciples, and consecrates them to God on behalf of the world. Since John doesn’t actually narrate a ‘last supper,’ this prayer serves as the consecration of himself as ‘the lamb of God’ who takes away the sins of the world, and provides the feast that atones.

Cherished in the name

28 May 2017
Seventh Sunday of Easter
Easter 7A (RCL)
Acts 1:6-14
Psalm 68:1-10, 33-36
1 Peter 4:12-14, 5:6-11
John 12:1-11

On this Sunday, after the Feast of the Ascension, the readings turn our attention toward Jesus’ continuing presence with the Church, and toward the gift of the Spirit at Pentecost. The first letter of Peter mentions the spirit which rests on us when we are reviled for the name of Jesus. The passage from John’s Gospel speaks of Jesus’ glorification in the presence of the Father with the glory he had before the creation of the world. In Jesus’ glorification, we too are glorified, if we treasure the word Jesus has given us. God will cherish us (treasure us) in the divine name God has given to Jesus. Continue reading “Cherished in the name”