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Third Sunday of Easter, Year C, April 22, 2007

First reading, Acts 5:27-32, 40-41

Two features of this reading should stand out in your proclamation. The first is Peter's rendering of the gospel in response to his interrogators. Don't let this compelling summary of the Good News get lost. Imagine yourself in Peter's place. The high priest barks at you. You stare back in silence for a moment, then stand, never taking your eyes off his. You don't hate or fear this man, and you'd love for him to accept the gospel. You don't think that's likely, but you're going to be as convincing as you can be. You take a deep breath and begin:
    though you had him killed by hanging him on a tree.
    God exalted him at his right hand as leader and savior
    to grant Israel repentance and forgiveness of sins.
    We are witnesses of these things,
    as is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.
Now that you've convinced the congregation, if not the high priest, of the truth of the gospel, note the other special feature of this story, and make sure the congregation hears how special it is. The apostles left the hearing "rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name." Note that the author of Acts doesn't think it necessary to expand on "the name." If you have the slightest doubt about whose name he means, read all the preceding chapters of Acts.

Second Reading, Revelation 5:11-14

In previous paragraphs, the book of Revelation has set this scene: In heaven, angels and similar creatures sing praises around God's throne. In God's hand is a sealed scroll. A voice has asked who is worthy to receive that scroll and open its seals. Then a slain Lamb appears, Jesus. Voices salute him as worthy to receive and open the scroll. Then they go further, saying "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches, wisdom and strength, honor and glory and blessing."

This dry summary does not do justice to the rich imagery in Revelation, chapters 4 & 5, which I recommend to the lector. Nor is this the place to dig into the theology of it all. It's enough to say, perhaps, that the spirit of your proclamation of this passage should be the Easter spirit. We've gathered to celebrate that Jesus has done something unprecedented and unexpected, and given us something undeserved. His accomplishment is great enough to earn the praise of the heavenly court, and of the earthly lector and congregation.
Several other commentaries on these passages. All are thoughtful, all quite readable, from the scholarly to the popular.
Links may be incomplete more than a few weeks before the "due date."
Father Roger Karban's column from 2001, on these passages. The heading mistakenly describes the readings as scheduled for the Second Sunday of Lent.
Retired Lutheran pastor and college teacher Dan Nelson prepares detailed notes for a study group.
Click here for his notes on Acts 9:1-6 [7-20], Psalm 30, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19.
Click here for Dan's notes on Acts 5:27-32, Psalm 118:14-29, Or Psalm 150, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-31
The Text This Week; links to homilies, art works, movies and other resources on the week's scripture themes Saint Louis University's excellent Sunday liturgy-preparation site

The Lectionary selections in the frame at the left, if any, are there for your convenience. The publishers of the page in that frame have no connection, except for membership in the one Body of Christ, with the publisher of this page. Likewise the publishers of the pages on the links above.

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Last modified: Wed Mar 3 20:57:41 CST 2004