A New Commandment - 5.15.22 The Rev. Vincent Pizzuto, Ph.D.

Fifth Sunday of Easter The Collect: Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. First Lesson: Acts 11:1-18 1Now the apostles and the believers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also accepted the word of God. 2So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him, 3saying, "Why did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?" 4Then Peter began to explain it to them, step by step, saying, 5"I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. There was something like a large sheet coming down from heaven, being lowered by its four corners; and it came close to me. 6As I looked at it closely I saw four-footed animals, beasts of prey, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7I also heard a voice saying to me, 'Get up, Peter; kill and eat.' 8But I replied, 'By no means, Lord; for nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' 9But a second time the voice answered from heaven, 'What God has made clean, you must not call profane.' 10This happened three times; then everything was pulled up again to heaven. 11At that very moment three men, sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were. 12The Spirit told me to go with them and not to make a distinction between them and us. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house. 13He told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house and saying, 'Send to Joppa and bring Simon, who is called Peter; 14he will give you a message by which you and your entire household will be saved.' 15And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning. 16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' 17If then God gave them the same gift that he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could hinder God?" 18When they heard this, they were silenced. And they praised God, saying, "Then God has given even to the Gentiles the repentance that leads to life." Psalm: Psalm 148 1 Hallelujah!    Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights. 2 Praise him, all you angels of his; praise him, all his host. 3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. 4 Praise him, heaven of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. 5 Let them praise the Name of the Lord; for he commanded, and they were created. 6 He made them stand fast for ever and ever; he gave them a law which shall not pass away. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea-monsters and all deeps; 8 Fire and hail, snow and fog, tempestuous wind, doing his will; 9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars; 10 Wild beasts and all cattle, creeping things and winged birds; 11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the world; 12 Young men and maidens, old and young together. 13 Let them praise the Name of the Lord, for his Name only is exalted, his splendor is over earth and heaven. 14 He has raised up strength for his people and praise for all his loyal servants, the children of Israel, a people who are near him. Hallelujah!