New Testament | Acts 10:34-43 (Jeff Sholar)

Opening Song:
Risen Indeed by Andrew Peterson

Lyrics:
And so the winter dies with a blast of icy wind
Like a mournful cry it's giving up the ghost again
Another sheet of snow melts away to gold and green
Look at Peter go he's racing to the tomb to see

Where has my Jesus gone
He is not dead he is risen risen indeed

And now the flowers bloom like a song of freedom
Behold the earth is new if only for the season
And so the seed that died for you becomes a seedling
Just put your hand into the wound
That bought your healing

And let your heart believe
He is not dead He is risen risen indeed

And the rain will fall on the furrow
It immerses the earth in sorrow
Mary the sun will rise again
Mary the sun will rise again
Daughter listen listen
Daughter listen He speaks your name

And Father Abraham could not have dreamed of this
Could never understand the end of all those promises
How all the pieces fit every star and grain of sand
Is safely hid in Jesus' hand

Let ev'ry tongue confess
He is not dead he is risen risen
He is not dead he is risen risen indeed

Oh Mary the sun will rise again
Mary the sun will rise again
Daughter listen listen
Daughter listen He speaks your name

Passage:
34 So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, 35 but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. 36 As for the word that he sent to Israel, preaching good news of peace through Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all), 37 you yourselves know what happened throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee after the baptism that John proclaimed: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. 39 And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, 40 but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, 41 not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. 43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

Musical Reflection:
“Be Thou My Vision,” old Irish folk tune

Reflection Notes:
The hymn commonly known as “Be Thou My Vision” is set to the tune SLANE, which is an old Irish folk tune. It samples both major and minor tonalities, with a perfect balance between the two.

Prayer:
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.