Fourth Sunday after Easter and Two Reflections - 2026

 The Fourth Sunday after Easter.

Psalm 113. Laudate, pueri.

PRAISE the Lord, ye servants; * O praise the Name of the Lord.

2 Blessed be the Name of the Lord * from this time forth for evermore.

3 The Lord’s Name is praised * from the rising up of the sun unto the going down of the same.

4 The Lord is high above all nations, * and his glory above the heavens.

5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, that hath his dwelling so high, * and yet humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven and earth!

6 He taketh up the simple out of the dust, * and lifteth the poor out of the mire;

7 That he may set him with the princes, * even with the princes of his people.

8 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, * and to be a joyful mother of children.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen. 

The Collect.

O ALMIGHTY God, who alone canst order the unruly wills and affections of sinful men; Grant unto thy people, that they may love the thing which thou commandest, and desire that which thou dost promise; that so, among the sundry and manifold changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed, where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 39:21-29

Psalter: Psalm 126, 127, 128 | 129, 130, 131

Epistle Reading: James 1:17-21

Gospel Reading: St. John 16:5-15 

Homily 

***First, the Collect for this week is deeply meaningful for me. I have prayed through it much over the years, especially regarding certain pastoral situation. (1) I have prayed through it while counseling a disabled U.S. Army Vet who was racked with schizoaffective disorder. (2) I have prayed through this with my people while family crises have been happening. (3) I have prayed these words during political turmoil in my country. (4) And I have prayed this prayer during my own fearful moments. Dear friends, I heartily commend this week's Collect to you.

***Second, below was from my letter I sent to my congregation this week: 

To be hospitable is to be friendly toward guests and welcoming of strangers, and comes in many shapes and sizes. We can invite folks into our homes for meals or have them over for a relaxing time of coffee, dessert, and a board game, and we can enjoy some time with them at a coffee shop or café. But also, when they visit our congregation we can greet them and warmly receive them in ways that say, “You’re welcome here, and we’re truly thankful you’ve come here.” Our “greeters” who meet folks at the church’s front door on Sundays are an important piece in our hospitality. To unhurriedly greet folks, guiding them to the nursery or water fountain or restrooms or sanctuary, leaves a positive impression of our congregation. There are also the aesthetics of our foyer that have recently been freshened up and made more visually welcoming. Another piece to hospitality.

 

But beyond the “greeters” and freshening up our building there are the intentional actions of the rest of us. Such as making time to gather around someone who is new, engaging in small talk, taking an interest in them. But also, making sure they have space to stop the conversation and leave when they want. Scripture is very clear that hospitableness is a Christian trait: “Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality” (Romans 12:13; see also Hebrews 13:2 and 1 Peter 4:9).

 

 And God has blessed us with many visitors in the last several months. Some have recently moved here from other places. A few are looking for a new church home. Let’s continue to remember and show hospitality, recalling that Christ is hospitable toward us: “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7).

Pastor Mike