Sixth Sunday in Easter - May 9, 2021

25 When Peter entered, Cornelius met him and bowed low. 26 "Get up," Peter said. "I am only a man, just like you."

34 Then Peter said, "I truly believe God does not play favorites. No, God accepts anyone who deeply respects him and tries to do the right thing."

44 As Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit filled everyone that heard his preaching. The Jewish Christians who went with Peter were amazed that the Holy Spirit even filled people who were not Jewish. 46 They heard these Cornelius' family speak in tongues and shouted in praise to God. Then Peter said, "Who can stop this man ans his family from being baptized? The Holy Spirit wants them, just like we do!" 48 So, Peter had them baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. After that, Cornelius and his family invited Peter to stay a few days with them.

25 As it happened (for) Peter to enter, Cornelius, having met him, having fallen on his feet, bowed low (in worship). 26 Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up! I myself am also a man!"

34 Having opened his mouth, Peter said, "In truth, I hold (in my mind) that God does not favor (one's) presence (over another's), 35 but in every nation, the one fearing him and doing righteous (deeds) is acceptable to him."

44 As Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on everyone hearing the Word. 45 And (they) were amazed, the believing (ones) from the circumcised (Jews) as many as traveled with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and making great (prayers and proclamations) to God. Then Peter answered, 47 "(Certainly) no one is able to stop the water of baptizing these who the Holy Spirit received just as we also (did)?" 48 (Peter) commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to remain a few days.

A Psalm.

1 Sing to YHWH a new song,
for he has done marvelous things!
His right hand, and his holy arm, have worked salvation for him.
2 YHWH has made known his salvation.
He has openly shown his righteousness in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his loving kindness and his faithfulness toward the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to YHWH, all the earth!
Burst out and sing for joy, yes, sing praises!
5 Sing praises to YHWH with the harp,
with the harp and the voice of melody.
6 With trumpets and sound of the ram's horn,
make a joyful noise before the King, YHWH.
7 Let the sea roar with its fullness;
the world, and those who dwell therein.
8 Let the rivers clap their hands.
Let the mountains sing for joy together.
9 Let them sing before YHWH,
for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.

7 Loved ones. We should love each other. After all, love is from God. And everyone who loves others comes from God and is close to God. 8 The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this way, God clearly show us his love in us. For, God sent his only Son into the world so we could live with him! 10 This is the way we find love. It's not because we love God. No, it's because God loved us first and sent his Son so our sins could be forgiven.

7 Loved (ones), we should love each other because love is from God and everyone loving has been begotten by God and knows God. 8 The (one) not loving does not know God because God is love. 9 In this, the love of God is make clear in us, because God sent his only begotten Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 Love is in this, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son (as) an expiation for our sins.

Jesus said to his followers:

9 Stay close to me, as the Father loves me and I love you.

10 I have done what the Father told me to do
and I remain close to him.

So, if you do what I tell you to do,
you will stay close to me.

11 I told you all this
so the joy I feel might be yours
and you might be completely happy.

12 Do this, then:
love each other the same way I love you.

13 No one shows greater love
than to die for his friends.

14 If you do what I told you to do,
you are my friends.

15 I won't call you my servants,
because servants don't know what their Master is doing.

I call you my friends,
because I let you know everything

I heard from my Father.

16 You didn't choose me.

I chose you
to go out and do things that will last.

And my Father will give you,
whatever you ask him in my name.

17 So, love each other, just like I told you to do.

9 Just as the Father loved me and I loved you, stay in my love.

10 If you keep my commands, you will stay in my love,
just as I have kept my Father's command and I stay in him love.

11 I have spoken these things to you that my joy might be in you,
and your joy might be filled.

12 This is my command:
love each other, just as I loved you.

13 Greater than this love no one has,
that someone might lay down his life on behalf of his friends.

14 You are my friends,
if you do what I command you (to do).

15 No longer do I call you servants
because a servant does not know what his Master does.

But, I call you friends
because everything I heard from my Father
I made known to you.

16 You yourself did not choose me.

I myself chose you and lay (a mission) upon you
so you might go and bear fruit and your fruit might remain,
so that whatever you ask the Father in my name,
he will give you.

17 These things I command you (to do): love each other.