Looking Forward: Sunday in April

As published in the April, 2008 issue of Tidings, the newsletter of Immanuel.

April 6: Misericordias Domini - The name for the third Sunday of Easter means "The compassion of the Lord," from Psalm 33. Popularly called "Good Shepherd Sunday," on this day John 10 is read as we rejoice in Jesus our Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep, and took it up again in the resurrection. We also see the ongoing work the Lord does through His Church: "Other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd."

April 13: Jubilate- "Shout for joy to God, all the earth, Alleluia!" This is the first of four successive Sundays where passages from the "Upper Room Discourse" (John 14-16) are read. Jesus tells His disciples that He will be gone a "little while," and that He will see His disciples again, causing their hearts to rejoice. For the Twelve, the first "little while" was the time between the crucifixion and the resurrection; we are comforted knowing that it is only a "little while" until He returns, and our hearts already rejoice!

April 20: Cantate- "Sing to the LORD a new song, Alleluia!" Cantate Sunday (not to be confused with "Cantata," a piece of music made of several "songs") urges us to sing, because in Christ, "the ruler of this world is judged" (Gospel, John 16.11). As we start looking toward Pentecost, we hear Jesus' promise that the Spirit of Truth will come, and guide the Church into all truth.

April 27: Rogate- The name of the sixth Sunday of Easter, the last Sunday before the Ascension, means "Pray" or "Ask." We are invited to ask the Father in the name of Jesus. "Ask, and you will receive," our Lord says, "that your joy may be full." The church is urging us to ask for the Holy Spirit, that we may live new lives as disciples of Jesus.