Consolation and Encouragement

 

55But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56“Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.

Acts 7:55-60

Martyrdom of Stephen

Donated by Anne Richardson, Nashville, Tennessee

1882

Glass

Trinity Church

Boston, Massachusetts

United States

 

Notes:

Trinity Church, Boston, was completed in 1877. Its architect was H. H. Richardson, and numerous artists and craftspeople contributed to the interior design. In 1971, Trinity was designated a National Historic Landmark for "possessing "exceptional value in commemorating or illustrating the history of the United States." Stained glass window from Trinity Church, Boston, illustrating the story of the stoning of Stephen.

 

https://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/diglib-fulldisplay.pl?SID=20230505305770775&code=act&RC=51537&Row=31

 

 

 

 

 

This is the end —

for me the beginning of life.

~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer *

 

 

 

 The only sensible path forward is to learn 

to accept the brokenness of human life, 

to develop resilience in the face of its petty cruelties, 

and to learn to live with yourself.

~ Freddie deBoer

 

 

 

 

 

Dine Around with the Rombergs

Just the women in the kitchen —

Carolyn Alexander, Laurie Romberg, Ann Moore, Nikki Chodur

 

Moses Chodur made us a party of eight.

 

A tribute at Rotary for Past President Sam Smith.

Such a quiet giant!

 

 

Birthday Week

At Painted Toe Art Society, we celebrated Nancy Priest’s birthday on Tuesday.

 

Happy Birthday, Nancy!

 

Happy Kanreki (60th) Birthday, Robin Sakamoto! 

The Japanese celebrate their 60th birthday by wearing something red.

Kanreki, rather than being seen as getting older, is viewed as a rebirth.**

 

Welcome to this world, Kaito Sakakibara!

Mother Reina is thrilled that their 3rd son finally arrived!

 

Big brother Meishi greeting Kaito.

 

 

Congratulations, Kei Sakamoto!

Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas)

151 W 42nd St.

New York, NY

 

 

 

 

 

Empathy is a respectful understanding of what others are experiencing.  Instead of offering empathy, we often have a strong urge to give advice or reassurance and to explain our own position or feeling.  Empathy, however, calls upon us to empty our mind and listen to others with our whole being.

~ Marshall B. Rosenberg

 

 

 

 

 

May 7, 2023  Fifth Sunday of Easter Year A

 

Previous OPQs may be found at:

     http://www.dotjack.com/opq.htm

 

 

* Bonhoeffer’s final words to his fellow prisoners on April 8, 1945, in his last morning service for them in Schoenberg, near the primary court at Flossenbürg.  There he was hanged in the early morning of April 9, 1945.  

http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=1928

 

** Kanreki:   In Japan, special significance is placed on a person’s 60th birthday – known as Kanreki.  Kanreki, rather than being seen as getting older, is viewed as a rebirth. The reason for this is when a person turns 60, they have gone through the Chinese zodiac cycle a total of five times and are now back at their original birth zodiac. The word “Kanreki” itself derives its meaning from the words kan (return) and reki (calendar). Simply put, turning 60 is viewed as your chance to start over again.

 

https://japanjunky.com/what-is-kanreki/amp/

 

Agnus Day, by James Wetzstein

Agnus Day appears with the permission of www.agnusday.org

 

 

 

No photo description available.

 

 

 

 

 

LECTIONARY

Acts 7:55–60 

Psalm 31:1–5, 15–16 

1 Peter 2:2–10 

John 14:1–14

 

“Whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater than these, because I am going to the Father.”
John 14: 1-12

THE WORD:

Today’s Gospel takes place at the Last Supper.  John’s account of that night is the longest in the Gospels – five chapters in length (but with no account of the institution of the Eucharist).  The evangelist uses a literary device common in Scripture: A leader (Moses, Joshua, David, Tobit) gathers his own (family, friends, disciples) to announce his imminent departure, offer advice and insight into the future and give final instructions.

At the time of the writing the Fourth Gospel, Christians are being harassed by both the Jews and the Romans.  Proclaiming the Crucified Jesus as the Messiah is blasphemy to Judaism, while accusing the Romans of “judicial murder” in the death of Jesus threatens the new faith’s chances of survival as a “lawful religion” tolerated by their Roman occupiers.

The dominant themes here are consolation and encouragement: Be faithful, remember and live what I have taught you, for better days are ahead for you.  Christ – the Way to God, the Truth of God and Life incarnate of God – will return for the faithful who “who do the works that I do.”

https://connectionsmediaworks.com/sundaygospel.html#may7

 

First Reading Acts 7:55-60

55But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56“Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” 57But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. 58Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. 59While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” 60Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.

Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16

1   In you, O LORD, I seek refuge; 
          do not let me ever be put to shame; 
          in your righteousness deliver me. 
2   Incline your ear to me; 
          rescue me speedily. 
     Be a rock of refuge for me, 
          a strong fortress to save me.

3   You are indeed my rock and my fortress; 
          for your name’s sake lead me and guide me, 
4   take me out of the net that is hidden for me, 
          for you are my refuge. 
5   Into your hand I commit my spirit; 
          you have redeemed me, O LORD, faithful God

15  My times are in your hand; 
          deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors. 
16  Let your face shine upon your servant; 
          save me in your steadfast love.

Second Reading 1 Peter 2:2-10

2Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation — 3if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.

4Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and 5like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For it stands in scripture: 
     “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, 
          a cornerstone chosen and precious; 
          and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 
7To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, 
     “The stone that the builders rejected 
          has become the very head of the corner,” 
8and 
     “A stone that makes them stumble, 
          and a rock that makes them fall.” 
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.

9But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 
10  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.

Gospel John 14:1-14

1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. 2In 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? 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. 4And you know the way to the place where I am going.” 5Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 6Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.”

8Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” 9Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. 12Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. 13I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”