5th Sunday of Easter

Our readings for the 5th Sunday of Easter are:

1. Acts 13: 14, 21-27
   
2. Psalms 145: 8-9
   
3. Revelation 21: 1-5a
   
4. John 13: 31-33a, 34-35
   

• A company of leaders
  
• Large corporations tend to communicate in pithy slogans because management hopes that subliminal messages are more effective than overt ones.  McDonnell Douglas had one: "MDC, a company of leaders."  Meaning that all of us were called, even obliged to lead, just not all in the same way.
• Who are some of the real leaders in your communities?
• How did they get that way?
• Did they seek those positions/ministries?
• How would you like to lead?
• What are you doing about that?
  

• Enduring kingdom
  
• Looking back over the centuries of human history, it seems as though nothing in our existence has much staying power.  Mighty empires come and go, leaving barely a whisper of their former glory.  Yet God endures through all generations.
• How does that make you feel about the importance of what you worked on today?
• Do you think that your were building up the Kingdom along the way?
• Do you think that you have to know whether you were building up the Kingdom, in order for you to be building up the Kingdom?
• What would you be willing to do to put your effort into something of truly eternal value?
  

• Tabernacle
  
• The reserved host is kept secure in the tabernacle, both as a means of acknowledging its transcendent nature, but also as a way of allowing Christ to be present to His people.
• How else is Christ physically present to His people?
• Have you been that presence lately?
• Who has been that Presence of God to you in your life?
• Was that part of some organized ministry or ceremony?
• What does that tell you about those ministries and ceremonies?
  

• Tough love
  
• We often hear of "tough love" to describe hard decisions that parents have to make regarding their children, decisions that the children will probably not like nor appreciate, even rebel against.
• Is our love of one another as adults ever "tough"?
• Think of a time that you decided that you needed to get "tough" with someone that you loved.
• How did you come to that decision?
• Did that other person eventually thank you?
• Do you still feel that "getting tough" was the best answer?
  

• Preparation for Reconciliation

1. Where can I be a better leader?
2. Am I putting my energy into anything that will endure?
3. How can I be a better beacon of God's presence?
4. Where is God calling me to love outside of my comfort zone?

Shalom and a blessed Easter to you!