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This Eastertide, as we continue to navigate the shut-down of society and the global response to COVID-19, we are joined together through our common faith, and offer these daily Scripture readings for your spiritual reflection and encouragement.
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Tuesday, Second Week of Easter
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Do Not Let Your Hearts Be Troubled (John 14:18-31, NRSV)
This week’s Gospel texts originate from the Book of Common Worship: Daily Prayer (Louisville, KY:Westminster/John Knox, 1993).
14 18 “I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. 19 In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. 21 They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from the Father who sent me.
25 “I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. 28 You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.’ If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. 30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; 31 but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us be on our way.
Jesus Issues His Platform for Justice (Luke 4:14-21, NRSV)
The Home Daily Bible Readings for Monday through Saturday are selected in support of the Sunday lesson in the Uniform Lessons Series, ©Spring 2020.
4:14 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. 15 He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
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Nothing Can Separate Us
“I’m convinced that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus”
––Romans 8:38
By Gilbert C. Hanke, General Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer of United Methodist Men
God of all creation, we know you have not separated from us, but it’s difficult to sense your presence in the midst of our distress.
While we will continue to trust in you, we are afraid.
We know your love never ends, but that is why we wrestle with questions of why this pandemic is present.
We mourn the death of thousands of unknown along with the loss of friends and family.
We pray for the brave health workers who risk their lives to save strangers, and for those families who must wait at a distance to mourn those who have been brought home to you.
We pray for those whose employment has unexpectedly ended, and whose futures are unclear. They are frightened and disoriented and need to find hope in your presence and promise.
We trust Paul’s words, but, the separation from friends and family is causing pain.
In this time of division and disease, we still find reasons to be thankful.
We are grateful for those who have been distant from us whom this crisis has moved us to reconnect.
We are thankful for the acts of bravery and unselfish giving of resources to help those impacted directly and indirectly by this pandemic.
We are blessed by the chance to see acts of care and kindness.
But, Lord we dare to ask for more.
Bring an end to this pandemic and do so in such a way that all the world will know of your love and grace.
We pray in the name of Jesus, the healer of all nations.
Amen.
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