The 3rd Sunday of Eastertide | Sunday 23 April 2023

Today is Sunday the 23rd of April, beginning the third week of Easter.

The Monks of Glenstal Abbey sing Nos autem gloriari:


‘We should glory in nothing other than the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, in whom is our salvation, life and resurrection; through him we are saved and set free. May God have mercy upon us and bless us, may he make his face shine upon us and be merciful to us.’


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Today’s reading is from the Acts of the Apostles.


Acts 2:14,22-33

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.

‘You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him,
“I saw the Lord always before me,
for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken;
therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;
moreover, my flesh will live in hope.
For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,
or let your Holy One experience corruption.
You have made known to me the ways of life;
you will make me full of gladness with your presence.”

‘Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying,
“He was not abandoned to Hades,
nor did his flesh experience corruption.”

This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear.

The scripture reading for today follows on from the disciples’ experience at Pentecost.


Inspired by the gift of the Holy Spirit, Peter finds the courage, in his role as leader, surrounded by the eleven, to begin proclaiming the message about who Jesus of Nazareth really was.

Can you picture yourself in this scene? As a follower, a visitor to the city, or a witness to some of the events that have taken place.

Can you sense the change that has happened in Peter and the fellowship after Pentecost? What is your response to this?

Peter shares the Good News - the Gospel – with those willing to listen. He weaves together his own experience of Jesus with the prophecies of the Old Testament. He reminds them of recent events; events they may have witnessed themselves. In his retelling, he is honest but does not condemn.


How do you respond to Peter’s account of what has taken place? Does it fit with your understanding?

Peter continues with his own witness to the Resurrection and the fulfilled promise of the Holy Spirit. Perhaps Peter brings up the story of Jesus here: to explain the experience of the Spirit at Pentecost. The public and astounding outpouring of the Spirit’s work needs to be connected to the story of Jesus.

Can you imagine if this was the first time you had heard of Jesus? How would this witness make you feel?

As we listen to Peter’s final statement again, consider the words: ‘Now all of us are witnesses’. What could this mean for you?


Can you reflect on ways in which this encounter has moved you today? Spend some moments of prayer asking the Holy Spirit for the gifts that you need in your journey of faith.


Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.