Reality Check

No Service at Trinity this Sunday due to COVID-19 restrictions

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Seventh Sunday of Easter

After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10

Our Savior Jesus Christ told us He was going to His Father. The first disciples saw Him do this, actually leaving them and us behind, ascending through the clouds. But they and we are to know His “going” is not exactly His “leaving.” For He has not left us alone as orphans. We are to know that His real presence with us is now not by sight but by faith through His Sacraments. It is His voice we hear from now on, saying, “I forgive you all your sins.” By faith we know that Holy Baptism and Holy Communion are not primarily something we do only to remember Him but the Means by which He washes us and fills us now with His righteousness. Through it all, we are formed by His cross, enduring suffering for His sake with the great and sure hope that, in the end, we will be with Him forever.

READINGS

First Reading


Psalm

Epistle:


Gospel:

Acts 1:12–26
Matthias chosen to replace Judas

Psalm 68:1–10

1 Peter 4:12–19; 5:6–11
Suffering as a Christian

John 17:1–11
The High Priestly Prayer

COLLECT

O King of glory, Lord of hosts, uplifted in triumph far above all heavens, leave us not without consolation but send us the Spirit of truth whom You promised from the Father; for You live and reign with Him and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.