All Joy and Celebration
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
Scripture
First Reading: Acts 10:44-48
Psalter: Psalm 98
Epistle: 1 John 5:1-6
Gospel: John 15:9-17
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Prayer
Faithful God, make our hearts bold with love for one another. Pour out your Spirit upon all people, that we may live your justice and sing in praise the new song of your marvelous victory. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary)
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Reflection
O sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things.
His right hand and his holy arm
have gotten him victory.
The Lord has made known his victory;
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen
the victory of our God.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
Let the sea roar and all that fills it,
the world and those who live in it.
Let the floods clap their hands;
let the hills sing together for joy
at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming
to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness
and the peoples with equity (Psalm 98).
In Latin, this Psalm is known as Cantate Domino (“O, Sing to the Lord”). It is notable that unlike many other Psalms, there are no comparing or contrasting reflections on “the heathen” and no instructions on how to worship rightly. This psalm is all joy and celebration.
It speaks of the victory of God—victory meaning salvation not only for Israel but for the entire earth. The only true response to victory is celebration. It is reminiscent of the photographs taken after the Second World War of soldiers and sailors celebrating as they returned home to their families. The pictures of happiness that peace was finally at hand and that the enemies had been defeated captured the exuberance of those moments.
Here in Psalm 98, it is the victory of God that is celebrated and that leads to worship, to making a joyful noise. To “break forth,” which is a favorite expression of the prophet Isaiah is an outburst of delight. Even nature that breaks out into a chorus of praise. All things worship the Lord.
PRAYER: O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)
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