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First Reading - Acts 6:1–9; 7:2a, 51–60

Psalm - Psalm 146:1–10

Second Reading - 1 Peter 2:2–10

Gospel - John 14:1–14

A baby cries when she is hungry, and her mother feeds her. The mother may say some soothing words as she feeds the child, such as, “My, you were hungry, weren’t you? But don’t I always feed you? Calm down now and drink.” Soon the child is fed, satisfied and sleeping peacefully.

God must feel the same way toward us, for Jesus says, “Let not your hearts be troubled.” Our hearts are troubled when we lack faith, when we do not quite believe God will take care of us. In the Gospel reading, we learn that Jesus has taken care of the most extreme need — the needs of the life to come. We may therefore depend on him for everything else we need in this life.

We may also depend on him for the needs of ministry. “Ask,” he says, and he will enable the one who does not cry, who is not troubled, who believes, to do “greater works” so that the Father will be glorified.

First Reading - Acts 17:16–31

Psalm - Psalm 66:8–20

Second Reading - 1 Peter 3:13–22

Gospel - John 14:15–21

We love security. Humans are bred on it from the womb and do not like being far from feelings of safety and peace. Jesus knew that his disciples would soon be facing the worst feelings of insecurity. Imagine having been in the company of the Prince of Peace for years, only to have this peace that surpassed your understanding suddenly removed. Jesus consoles them by saying he will not leave them orphaned. When he is gone, he will send another, appropriately called the Comforter (John 14:26 KJV), who will indwell them, always reminding them of the peace of God.

First Reading - Acts 1:1–11

Psalm - Psalm 47:1–9

Second Reading - Ephesians 1:15–23

Gospel - Luke 24:44–53

The gospel narratives are replete with examples of the disciples not understanding what Jesus was teaching them (Luke 9:45; 18:34). The more amusing incidents are when he had taught the multitudes with a parable and the disciples waited until they were alone with him to ask what he meant. In our Gospel reading today, we see that explanations will no longer be required because Jesus opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. Their new understanding of the essential death and resurrection of Jesus is in contrast to their earlier lack of perception when he foretold his death and resurrection (Luke 18:34). These essentials would now be preached by them so the eyes of others would be opened by the same power of the Spirit the disciples are told to await. And in our time, if we do not preach the Gospel, how will the Lord open minds to the Scriptures (Romans 10:17)?

First Reading - Numbers 11:24-30

Psalm - Psalm 25:1-15

Second Reading - Acts 2:1-21

Gospel - John 7:37-39

As Luther notes (Luther’s Works, vol 23), in the previous pericope Jesus taught with frightening words: "I am leaving and you cannot come where I am going." It should have frightened them but the Jews found his prophecy agreeable. They were “as little concerned as people are today” (ibid). In other words, they were not thirsty since they believed they were already righteous because they were religious. In our text today, Jesus speaks to those who realize their thirst, who know they are not righteous. To thirsty souls, this is a comfort; to those who are full (of themselves), it is despised (ibid). We must preach to the thirsty, for they are ready to drink—and the Spirit of the Lord is ready to fill them.

First Reading - Genesis 1:1-2:4a

Psalm - Psalm 8:1-9

Second Reading - Acts 2:14a, 22-36

Gospel - Matthew 28:16-20

God has determined to continue his creative work, making of us a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). Because he has the authority of the Creator of heaven and earth, as well as being the one who overcame the depths of the earth, Jesus charges his apostles to go into all the world that he made (John 1:3) and make more disciples, baptizing them in the name of Yahweh God: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Through this baptism of word in water, a new order is created in the chaos of human life.