The Common Lectionary readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter include Psalm 98, Acts 10:44-48, John 15:9-17, and 1John 5:1-6. Today is my turn to teach Sunday School via Zoom. We will all be glad to be back together in person some day. I suspect my cancer treatments will keep me out of the classroom longer than the wonderful day when the class can finally gather. My anticipation is already building for that probable Sunday in late summer or early autumn.

The Acts passage is the first instance of "all" meaning ALL when the message of God's love spreads beyond the Hebrew nation to the Gentiles. The non-Jewish listeners to Peter's message respond with exuberant praise which astonished the Jewish disciples. 

The 15th chapter of the Gospel of John explores the significance of being chosen for friendship by Jesus. And that followers of Jesus are to love as Jesus loves. Wouldn't that be amazing if the Church loved as Jesus loved? Too many examples demonstrate that's not true yet.

Psalm 98 is an exuberant hymn of praise that extends throughout creation.

The instruction in 1John 5 is to love those within the Church which is a constrained command for a group facing persecution. It seems to me that the Church fails to even love those within the Church.

Hopefully, this morning's class could be a fun discussion.