Seventh Sunday of Easter, Year A

⁶ Therefore when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.” ⁹ When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. ¹⁰ While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, ¹¹ who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.” ¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away. ¹³ When they had come in, they went up into the upper room where they were staying; that is Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴ All these with one accord continued steadfastly in prayer and supplication, along with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

¹ Let God arise! Let his enemies be scattered! Let them who hate him also flee before him. ² As smoke is driven away, so drive them away. As wax melts before the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God. ³ But let the righteous be glad. Let them rejoice before God. Yes, let them rejoice with gladness. ⁴ Sing to God! Sing praises to his name! Extol him who rides on the clouds: to the LORD, his name! Rejoice before him! ⁵ A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in his holy habitation. ⁶ God sets the lonely in families. He brings out the prisoners with singing, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land. ⁷ God, when you went out before your people, when you marched through the wilderness... ⁸ The earth trembled. The sky also poured down rain at the presence of the God of Sinai— at the presence of God, the God of Israel. ⁹ You, God, sent a plentiful rain. You confirmed your inheritance when it was weary. ¹⁰ Your congregation lived therein. You, God, prepared your goodness for the poor.

³² Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth! Sing praises to the Lord! ³³ To him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which are of old; behold, he utters his voice, a mighty voice. ³⁴ Ascribe strength to God! His excellency is over Israel, his strength is in the skies. ³⁵ You are awesome, God, in your sanctuaries. The God of Israel gives strength and power to his people. Praise be to God!

Chapter 4

¹² Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. ¹³ But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice, that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. ¹⁴ If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified.

Chapter 5

⁶ Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, ⁷ casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you. ⁸ Be sober and self-controlled. Be watchful. Your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. ⁹ Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings. ¹⁰ But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. ¹¹ To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.