Lectionary - Readings May 2026

WEEK 10: 3rd - 9th May

Acts 7:55-60 (Easter 5)

Here we have testimony of a very different kind. In chapter 6 of Acts we are introduced to Stephen, 'full of God's grace and power', who has performed 'great wonders and signs among the people' (Acts 6:8), but who is now on trial for his life.

As far as we know, Stephen, unlike Peter, was not an immediate witness of the resurrection, but he too testifies to the reality of the risen and ascended Jesus in verse 56. Stephen's vision has been shared by countless Christian martyrs down the ages, and can be ours too if we have the faith to see it. ‍

WEEK 11: 10th - 16" May

Acts 17:22-31 (Easter 6)

First Peter, then Stephen, and now Paul, who we see presenting his testimony before the Areopagus, the town council of Athens. This seems to have been a far more tolerant and civilised affair; Paul's life was not under threat, and his audience were genuinely interested in what he had to say (Acts 17:20). But their reaction was disappointingly lukewarm (verse 32). As has often been said, the greatest threat to the Christian Church is not hostility but indifference.

WEEK 12: 17th - 23rd May

Acts 1:6-14 (Easter 7)

The feast of the Ascension, celebrated forty days after Easter, marks the final appearance of Jesus to the apostles, when he is taken up to heaven (verse 11).

The Ascension has two aspects, The first, which we see in this passage, is the exaltation of Jesus to the right hand of God (compare Mark 16:19).
The other, as emphasised by John, is the withdrawal of Jesus from his earthly activity and his handing over of the baton to his disciples (see John 16:7 and 20:21). We see how this works out next week.

WEEK 13: 24th - 30th May

Acts 2:1-21 (Whit Sunday)

Over the last few months we have been following the life of Jesus from Christmas through Good Friday and Easter Sunday to his exaltation on Ascension Day. Now, as indicated last week, it is over to us. How are we to cope with such an awesome task?

Whit Sunday gives us the answer. Fifty days ago the disciples were warned by Jesus to wait until they were clothed with power from on high (Luke 24:49). Jesus is as good as his word. That power comes upon them all with a vengeance. There is nothing they cannot do now. And there is nothing we cannot do either with the help of the Holy Spirit.

WEEK 14: 31st May - 5th June

2 Corinthians 13:11-14 (Trinity Sunday)

Our focus this week is a single verse (verse 14), which we all know as 'the Grace'. It is one of the key verses in the New Testament (another is Matthew 28:19) that point towards the doctrine of the Trinity.

The Grace is something which we tend to take for granted. However, as John Wesley pointed out, we cannot afford to treat what he calls this ‘awful benediction' with disrespect; rather, we should all mull it over in our minds as we lift up our eyes to God the Three in One, who gives us life for evermore'