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Ok – a day late and a dollar short on this one. The week seems to go by too fast!
Some thoughts on some of the lectionary texts for this Sunday, 6th of Eastertide.
Acts 10.44-48
+ this is a part of the whole story of the conversion of Cornelius. Remember he had a dream to send for Peter, and Peter had that dream about killing and eating all the animals thought unclean that were lowered down in a sheet. Now here we are, and Peter has “preached” to Cornelius and family and friends, much like he did to the crowds (Israelites and others) at the “first Pentecost” with somewhat the same reaction. Some people think of this story as “The Gentile Pentecost.”
+ anyway, it says they were “touched by the Holy Spirit”. What does that mean? Has that ever happened to you, or anyone you know? Apparently they started “speaking in tongues” – is that an indicator?
+ we call this the conversion of Cornelius, but it is also something of a conversion of Peter as well. Can he come to see and accept God’s saving activity in ways that are new and unfamiliar, maybe even “questionable”?
+ Can we come to see God’s saving activity in ways that are new and maybe even questionable? Have you ever had to make that evaluation? What indicators would convince us? Would “speaking in tongues”?
+ note that it is not just Peter who must react to this, but also the folks who have accompanied him from the Jerusalem Church group. How do they respond?
+ Israelites and Gentiles; who is “in” and who is not; what groups would they be today?
+ “the Spirit’s unbridled activity” can be threatening or comforting.
Psalm 98
+ vs 1-3 describe and celebrate God’s victory, which has been revealed in the sight of the nations. What victory are we talking about?
+ God’s victory is theological, but still rooted in real-life, public events and happenings. “Marvelous things.” Where do you see it happening?
+ vs 4-9 is a call to praise – with musical instruments, with all of creation joining in. “It’s a song of praise to the Maker….” How much of Creation would be inclined to join us in praise today?
+ God is coming to judge – with righteousness and equity! What would that look like? Would that be good for us or not? Do we really believe it?
+ I like this – “God’s action cannot be explained, only voiced in praise.”
+ on a more practical note – it says “sing a new song”. Because God is doing/has done something new and the old songs are not sufficient anymore? We don’t tend to be all that good at being asked to sing a new hymn! What would one of the last new hymns you learned be?
1 John 5.1-6
+ loving, obeying,
+ the Spirit testifies – by dropping on people so they speak in tongues?
+ vs4-6 talk about conquering, overcoming the world. How does that square with the Doctrine of Discovery, which said Christians from the old world had a right and even obligation to dominate the “heathen lands”?
John 15.9-17
+ Jesus as the gate, Jesus as the shepherd, Jesus as the vine – now Jesus as the friend. “What a Friend We Have in Jesus.”
+ love, joy, commands – an interesting triangle.
+ Jesus and God mirrors disciple and Jesus. Can you think of ways that works out?
+ It is clear that this friendship “does not spring from mutual attraction” – “I chose you”. In other words, God came to us before we came to God.
+ there is no sense of privilege, there is no “upward mobility” in Jesus’ circle of friends.
+ friends know what Jesus is doing.
+ the thought that we have been chosen by Jesus can strengthen for hard tasks.
+ vs17 – a command is also a promise!
+ “ask what you will” is offered to those “bathed in knowledge and love of God.” How does that temper our prayers?
+ one caution that a strong sense of community/fellowship/circle of friends/”our church is a family” can also give rise to a certain exclusivity – which according to the lesson from Acts would not be in harmony with God’s dream. Have you ever experienced that from one side or the other?
+ and one last thing to consider – one writer quoted “a Greek proverb”(?) - “the one who has no enemies has no friends.” Reminds me of the Four Shillings Short song “Have you been to jail for justice?”
Here are a couple of prayers for the week from the Lectionary website that seem to resonate nicely – along with the “Mothers’ Day” prayer last time inspired by St Monica.
Living God,
long ago, faithful women
proclaimed the good news
of Jesus' resurrection,
and the world was changed forever.
Teach us to keep faith with them,
that our witness may be as bold,
our love as deep,
and our faith as true. Amen.
And keeping in mind the whole Doctrine of Discovery thing, how do we understand and think about this one -
Creator of the universe,
you made the world in beauty,
and restore all things in glory
through the victory of Jesus Christ.
We pray that, wherever your image is still disfigured
by poverty, sickness, selfishness, war and greed,
the new creation in Jesus Christ may appear in justice, love, and peace,
to the glory of your name. Amen.
That’s what I got for now.
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