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May 5, 2013 Sixth Sunday of Easter

Posted on May 3, 2013 by Dawn Leger

This week’s readings

It’s been that kind of week and the Preachers’ Table has been kind of empty. Now that it’s Friday, let’s jump right in.

The story of Lydia is a beautifully subtle conversion story, with the gentle winds of the Spirit moving through her family and through God’s disciples. Every time Paul closes his eyes God is calling him to a place he would never imagine. He comes into the home of a powerful, wealthy woman, and yet there is something very humble about her coming to Christ.

We have also come to almost the end of Revelation, that beautiful image of the tree of life for the healing of the nations. The most compelling image is of the complete indwelling of the presence of God, in and through all people and all things.

Our gospel continues in John’s farewell discourse. When I left my parish three years ago at this time, these readings were like a knife to the heart every week, wanting to bestow so much love on my congregations before I left. We have been preaching on the Revelations passages this Easter season, and the gospel lessons have given us a good context. One could read John alone and hear the message, “All you need is love” but the readings from Revelation remind us of a much deeper call to salvation and redemption.

How are you wrapping up the Easter season?

Dawn Leger

About Dawn Leger

I am a priest in the Diocese of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island, having served in Stouffville, Ontario. I think preaching is a profound and great privilege granted to us by God and our Church. I love the reading, the writing, the proclaiming, the dissecting and the dialogue. I also love to cook, sing, read and laugh, in no particular order.
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One Response to "May 5, 2013 Sixth Sunday of Easter"

  • By Mark K. May 3, 2013 - 4:03 pm

    Thanks Dawn. I’ve never really noticed or thought much of the story of Lydia. However, this time around it’s caught my attention. That along with Paul discerning where his vocation and ministry were leading him in building up the body of Christ.

    I like the juxtoposition between Lydia’s wealth from her position in her community and in her business world … and her poverty that’s inherent in her search for a spiritual relationship with God.

    As well … so much for us to learn from Paul searching outside the city on the sabbath … wonder what it would be like for our churches to go looking outside ourselves on the sabbath too … wonder who we’d encounter … wonder what spiritual moments and conversations and conversions God might work through us?

    And add in the gospel where Jesus promises the gift of the Holy Spirit … I wonder where is the Holy Spirit leading us as she led Paul … I wonder how is the Holy Spirit inspiring us as she inspired Lydia?

    Llots to wonder and ponder about this week out of our lectionary readings!