Daily Readings May 20-26, 2012

Daily Lectionary

May 20                                            Numbers 14:1–25; Luke 18:18–34

May21                                  Numbers 14:26–45; Luke 18:35—19:10

May 22                                           Numbers 16:1–22; Luke 19:11–28

May 23                                         Numbers 16:23–40; Luke 19:29–48

May 24                                    Numbers 16:41—17:13; Luke 20:1–18

May 25                                            Numbers 20:1–21; Luke 20:19–44

May 26                                        Looking Ahead to Pentecost Sunday

                                        Genesis 11:1–9; Acts 2:1–21; John 14:23–31

Next Weeks Lessons: THE FEAST OF PENTECOST

Man’s self-exaltation causes a confusion of language.  In his desire to make a name for himself, he brings the judgment of being divided and scattered. (Genesis 11:1–9)  However, by the coming of the Holy Spirit, mankind is brought together and united in Christ.  Language barriers are broken down as the people hear the wonderful works of God in their own native tongue. (Acts 2:1–21)  Through the preaching of the cross, the Holy Spirit draws people from all nations into the one, holy, Christian, apostolic church.  The Holy Spirit teaches and brings to our remembrance the words of Jesus, which are the words of the Father who sent Him.  These words bestow forgiveness and peace to those who keep and hold on to them in love for Jesus.  For He said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:23–31)

Collect: O God our merciful Father, who taught the hearts of Your faithful people by sending to them the light of Your Holy Spirit, bring us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and evermore to rejoice in His holy comfort; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who with You and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Old Testament: Genesis 11:1–9 [Confusion of languages]

Epistle: Acts 2:1–21 [Pentecost]

Holy Gospel: John 14:23–31 [Jesus goes to the Father]

TODAY’S THEME: YOU ARE WITNESSES On the 40^th day after His resurrection, our Lord ascended to the right hand of the Father. But although Jesus is hidden from your eyes, He is not absent from you.  For He now fills all things in heaven and on earth.  He continues “to do and to teach,” (Acts 1:1–11) preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins through those sent in His name, (Mark 16:14–20; Luke 24:44–53) giving you His true body and blood in the Supper.  Jesus is your great Elijah who pours out on you a double portion of His Spirit in the Word and the Sacraments. (2 Kings 2:5–15) He is Lord over all things for the sake of the church.  He whom heaven cannot contain has raised your human nature to share fully in the glory of God.  You who believe and are baptized into Christ’s body are already sitting in heavenly places; for you are in Him who is at the Father’s right hand.  When He comes again in the clouds on the Last Day, you also will appear with Him in glory.