Letting Go to Rise

As we approach the Sixth Sunday of Easter, the lectionary readings invite us into a journey of release and renewal—a call to let go of what weighs us down so that we might rise into the fullness of God’s promise. Each passage, from Acts to Revelation, Psalm 67, and the Gospel of John, weaves together a tapestry of transformation, hope, and the liberating power of God’s presence. In Acts, we meet Lydia, a woman whose heart is opened by God to receive the message Paul brings. Lydia’s story is one of letting go—she releases her old ways and embraces a new identity in Christ, along with her entire household. Her openness leads to baptism, hospitality, and a new community. Lydia’s example challenges us: What might happen if we let go of our resistance and allow God to open our hearts? What new life could emerge if we, like Lydia, welcome the Spirit's guidance?

This theme of openness and release resonates beautifully with Psalm 67, a song of praise that calls on all nations to recognize God's graciousness and saving power. The Psalmist envisions a world where God's way is known on earth, where all peoples sing for joy because of God's equitable judgment and guidance. This universal call to praise implies a letting go of narrow perspectives and embracing a global vision of God's love. It's an invitation to release our fears and trust in God's abundant blessing, which yields increase and fosters reverence throughout the earth.

The passage from Revelation offers a breathtaking vision of the new Jerusalem, a city where the Lamb is the light and where the nations walk in its radiance. This city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates it entirely. Nothing unclean can enter, only those written in the Lamb's book of life. The river of the water of life flows freely, and the tree of life bears fruit each month, its leaves for the healing of the nations. This is a vision of ultimate release—no more night, no more curse, only the eternal presence of God and the Lamb. It's a powerful image of what awaits us when we let go of our earthly attachments and embrace the promise of eternal life.

Finally, in the Gospel of John, Jesus speaks of the Holy Spirit, the Advocate whom the Father will send to teach and remind us of all that Jesus has said. Jesus offers his peace, a peace that surpasses the world's understanding, urging us not to let our hearts be troubled or afraid. This peace comes from letting go of our anxieties and trusting in Jesus' promise to return. Alternatively, the story of Jesus healing the man at the pool of Beth-zatha is a powerful illustration of letting go of limitations. The man, ill for thirty-eight years, had become accustomed to his condition, relying on others to help him into the pool. Jesus challenges him with the question, "Do you want to be made well?" and then commands him to "Stand up, take your mat and walk." This is an invitation to release our self-imposed limitations and embrace the possibility of healing and wholeness.

Together, these readings invite us to consider what we need to let go of in order to rise into the new life God offers. Whether it's our resistance to change, our narrow perspectives, our earthly attachments, our anxieties, or our self-imposed limitations, the message is clear: God is calling us to release what weighs us down so that we might experience the fullness of his grace, peace, and healing. As we celebrate the Sixth Sunday of Easter, may we be inspired by Lydia's open heart, the Psalmist's universal vision, the Revelator's glorious city, and Jesus' promise of peace and healing. May we let go and rise into the new life God has prepared for us.