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THE SECOND SUNDAY AFTER EASTER

INTROIT  Ps. 33.

The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord, alleluia: by the word of the Lord were the heaven made, alleluia, alleluia. Ps. ibid. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for it becometh well the just to be thankful V. Glory be.

COLLECT. ALMIGHTY GOD, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an ensample of godly life: give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.

First Lesson:  Acts 4:32-35

[32] Now the company of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one said that any of the things which he possessed was his own, but they had everything in common.
[33] And with great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.
[34] There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of what was sold
[35] and laid it at the apostles' feet; and distribution was made to each as any had need.

Psalm 118:15-24

[15] Hark, glad songs of victory in the tents of the righteous: "The right hand of the LORD does valiantly,
[16] the right hand of the LORD is exalted, the right hand of the LORD does valiantly!"
[17] I shall not die, but I shall live, and recount the deeds of the LORD.
[18] The LORD has chastened me sorely, but he has not given me over to death.
[19] Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the LORD.
[20] This is the gate of the LORD; the righteous shall enter through it.
[21] I thank thee that thou hast answered me and hast become my salvation.
[22] The stone which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.
[23] This is the LORD's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.
[24] This is the day which the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

 

EPISTLE. 1 Saint Peter 2:19-25

19 THIS is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Gradual: Alleluia, alleluia. V. St. Luke 24 The disciples knew the Lord Jesus in the breaking of bread. Alleluia. V. St. John 10. I am the Good Shepherd: and know my sheep, and am known of mine. Alleluia.

GOSPEL. Saint John 10:11-16

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. 12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. 13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

OFFERTORY. Ps. 63. O God, thou art my God, early will I seek thee: and I will lift up my hands in thy Name, alleluia.

A fisherman lowers a net into calm water at sunrise on the Sea of Galilee while Jesus stands beside him, symbolizing faith and trust after a night of empty nets.

Nevertheless at Thy Word: Faith in the Midst of Empty Nets

by | Jul 5, 2026 |

Sermon Excerpt — Trinity 5
Luke 5:1–11
Have you ever worked hard at something, only to come up empty? Simon Peter knew that feeling well. After a long night of fishing, he and his companions had caught nothing. Exhausted and discouraged, they returned to shore and began washing their nets—resigned to failure.

It was in that very moment that Jesus stepped in and said, “Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets.”

By all human reasoning, this made no sense. The night was over. The opportunity had passed. Yet Peter responds with remarkable faith:“Nevertheless at thy word, I will let down the net.”

Those four words change everything.

Peter obeys—and the result is abundance beyond imagination. The nets overflow. The boats nearly sink. What began in exhaustion ends in overwhelming blessing.

This passage reminds us that faith often looks like simple obedience in difficult moments. Not when we feel strong or confident, but when we are tired, uncertain, and ready to give up. Christ does not wait for us to be perfect or prepared—He meets us in our weakness and calls us to trust Him.

Whatever “empty nets” you are carrying today, bring them to Christ. And then, like Peter, say: “Nevertheless at thy word.” Cast the net once more—and trust that He is faithful.