By Deacon Timothy Siburg
Revised Common Lectionary Reflection for the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C
May 25, 2025
Key Verse: “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.” -John 14:27
“Peace be with all of you! To all people, wherever they are, to all the people of the earth, may peace be with you.” These were the first words that Pope Leo XIV shared with the world after being elected Pontiff on May 8. This message of peace hearkens back to the central tenants of faith. A message that resonates so clearly with Jesus’ own words that we hear and read again this week in John 14. It’s a message that seems so out of this world because of the alternative way of giving it seems to suggest.
As we journey together this week, Easter continues, at least for a bit longer. We haven’t quite reached Jesus’ ascension or the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This week we hear Jesus preparing his disciples for life after his resurrection and ascension. He foretells of the coming of the Spirit as an Advocate, and in so doing, he makes clear that he does not give as the world gives. Instead, Jesus shows another way, and in particular, an out-of-this-world gift and way to give. This way to give is one that God alone gives. Which then invites a response. When I think about stewardship, I especially think about how it describes our joyful and grateful response for what God has done, will do, and promises to do for all of God’s beloved, and nowhere is this clearer than during the Easter season.
As we continue to say, “Christ is Risen, Christ is Risen Indeed,” this week, we hear stories of promise, joyful and grateful response, and resurrection and new life:
- Acts 16:9-15: We learn of Paul’s travels and visions, and we are introduced to the famous disciple Lydia. When Lydia is baptized, she says to Paul and those with him, “If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come and stay at my home” (16:15). Her invitation and hospitality are accepted. Lydia provides an example of an early female disciple, but also a disciple whose heart is opened by God and who responded with eagerness, joy, and gratitude- through a life of hospitality, welcome, and service.
- Psalm 67: The psalmist calls for all peoples to praise God as we respond to what God has done, will do, and promises to do. “Let all the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and sing for joy” (67:3-4). What else can we do except respond with joy and praise?
- Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5: Revelation offers a glimpse of the Lamb as the light. “And there will be no more night; they need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light and they will reign forever and ever” (22:5). What a vision of promise. God will bring about life everlasting.
- John 14:23-29: Jesus gives his disciples more wisdom as he prepares for his death. He has already washed the disciples’ feet, and he knows that the hour is almost at hand. He offers yet another promise – that God will send the Holy Spirit, who will teach them everything and remind the faithful of what Jesus has said (14:26). Jesus alludes to the new commandment he has just given the disciples, that they love him and keep his word, in part, by loving one another. In terms of stewardship, we hear, “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” (14:27).
God has an out-of-this-world way to give. God provides and gives, what God alone can. Peace. Presence. Promise. These are all things that God in Christ gives. They are core to God’s message of love and grace. And these are all things that seemingly may be odds with what the world gives or prioritizes.
Jesus knows this. He knows his message is different. It might seem simple. It might seem radical. It might seem unbelievable. It might be all of this and more. But such is the message of Easter. A message that we are called to share and spread as stewards. A message and gift which God provides without an expectation of us earning anything. In fact, that’s central to why God gives. Where the world might expect us to earn or reciprocate, God gives without such expectation.
Three Ps to Ponder
Peace. Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives” (John 14:27). Pope Leo XIV echoes this theme as a core part of his vocation and calling in his new role as leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Peace of mind and peace in the world may sometimes seem fleeting or far off, but we’re called to be bearers and stewards of peace. Jesus gives peace to those who hear the Word. How might we also steward this gift of peace?
Presence. God shows up and is with God’s people. God shows up with and for Lydia in the story from Acts, in part through Paul. God shows up to us each day, through the movement of the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus promises (John 14:26). How might we steward the gift and practice of presence with and for one another?
Promise. God in Christ does what he does, so that we “may believe” (John 14:29). The writer of Revelation offers a word of promise through the idea that there will be “no more night” (Revelation 22:5). Jesus offers words and gifts of promise, over and over again. These are at the heart of the Easter story where we know that death and sin no longer have the final word. So, what can we do but give thanks and praise, and then share the Good News and love of God through all that we do and say? How then might we steward the gift of promise?
In Worship
In the United States, this Sunday falls during Memorial Day weekend. In many communities this is both the unofficial start of the summer season, full of relaxation, vacation, travel, and warmer weather, as well as a time to remember those who have given their lives in sacrifice and service of their neighbors and fellow citizens. Given the stories this week and a theme about how Jesus gives differently than the way the world gives, perhaps it would be worth pondering how we respond.
How do we show our thanks and praise to God? How does that thanks and praise shape our own peace, presence, and promise with our neighbors? How do we give thanks for those who have given sacrifice for us and the freedoms that we might enjoy? Perhaps this week in the life of the congregation it would be an ideal time to ask some questions and leave some space for stories and wondering about those who come to mind as examples of doing just this.
With Youth and Children
Psalm 67 is one of praise. Perhaps as a part of worship and/or a Children’s Sermon, it might be the perfect week to sing the old Sunday School song, “Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah, Praise Ye the Lord.” We use this in my family’s congregation, and it’s so much fun in worship when we say, “we’ll all stand on the phrase “Praise Ye the Lord” and stay seated during the “Hallelujah” sections. It’s kind of like “Simon Says” in song form! It serves well as an opportunity to praise God together as God’s people, making it easy for a preacher or lay leader to connect the dots to stewardship, as stewardship is all about giving our thanks and praise to God for all that God has done for us.
Previous reflections for Easter 6C:
2019 – Peek-a-boo Jesus
2016 – The trouble with visions
2013 – Visions, dreams and bold response
2010 – There goes the neighborhood!
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