Seventh Sunday of Easter

FIRST READING

Acts 1:6-14

Verse 6. So when they came together, they asked Him, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” Verse 7. Jesus replied, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by His own authority. Verse 8. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Verse 9. After He had said this, they watched as He was taken up, and a cloud hid Him from their sight. Verse 10. They were looking intently into the sky as He was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. Verse 11. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.” Verse 12. Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is near the city, a Sabbath day’s journey away. Verse 13. When they arrived, they went to the upper room where they were staying: Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. Verse 14. With one accord they all continued in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

PSALM

Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. A song. God arises. His enemies are scattered, and those who hate Him flee His presence.

As smoke is blown away, You will drive them out; as wax melts before the fire, the wicked will perish in the presence of God.

But the righteous will be glad and rejoice before God; they will celebrate with joy.

Sing to God! Sing praises to His name. Exalt Him who rides on the clouds — His name is the LORD— and rejoice before Him.

A father of the fatherless and a defender of widows is God in His holy habitation.

God settles the lonely in families; He leads the prisoners out to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a sun-scorched land.

O God, when You went out before Your people, when You marched through the wasteland,

the earth shook and the heavens poured down rain before God, the One on Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

You sent abundant rain, O God; You refreshed Your weary inheritance.

Your flock settled therein; O God, from Your bounty You provided for the poor.

Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth; sing praises to the Lord—

to Him who rides upon the highest heavens of old; behold, His mighty voice resounds.

Ascribe the power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose strength is in the skies.

O God, You are awesome in Your sanctuary; the God of Israel Himself gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!

SECOND READING

1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11

Text not available in the Berean Standard Bible.

GOSPEL

John 17:1-11

Verse 1. When Jesus had spoken these things, He lifted up His eyes to heaven and said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son may glorify You. Verse 2. For You granted Him authority over all people, so that He may give eternal life to all those You have given Him. Verse 3. Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. Verse 4. I have glorified You on earth by accomplishing the work You gave Me to do. Verse 5. And now, Father, glorify Me in Your presence with the glory I had with You before the world existed. Verse 6. I have revealed Your name to those You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours; You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. Verse 7. Now they know that everything You have given Me comes from You. Verse 8. For I have given them the words You gave Me, and they have received them. They knew with certainty that I came from You, and they believed that You sent Me. Verse 9. I ask on their behalf. I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those You have given Me; for they are Yours. Verse 10. All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine; and in them I have been glorified. Verse 11. I will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one.