Who is worthy?

Scripture: Kings 18:20-21, (22-29), 30-39 and Psalm 96  •  1 Kings 8:22-23, 41-43 and Psalm 96:1-9  • 

               Galatians 1:1-12  •  Luke 7:1-10

Do you remember the mantra of Mike Myers and Dana Carvey in Wayne's World? "We're not worthy!" In both this week's epistle of Paul to the Galatians, and the healing of the Roman centurion's servant by Jesus, we can learn much about value and worthiness.

The Rev. Rick Morley has a good discussion of worth and worthiness in his "(un)worthiness." Is it something we earn, or achieve? Who is "worthy" of God's saving grace?

The Rev. David Lose tells us that we should never presume to judge someone by appearances, or believe that they are incapable of demonstrating faith and good works in "Unexpected Faith." He suggests that we offer two prayers this week. Pray to give thanks for people who do not believe as we do, but do good works and who are in our lives, and that we might have the grace to commend their good works, and show them God's love for them. The second prayer is for us. That we be less surprised that God uses people we have decided are unlikely or unexpected to do wonderful things.

Finally, you know I love baseball. Enjoy, as I did, "42," by Nancy Rockwell, who reflects on the story of Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson, and the integration of major league baseball. A great lesson on worthiness.

 

The Meaning of Pentecost

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21 or Genesis 11:1-9  •  Psalm 104:24-34, 35b  •  Romans 8:14-17 or  Acts 2:1-21  •  John 14:8-17, (25-27)

The Lectionary this week contrasts the experience of the Tower of Babel and the Pentecost. Both involve people speaking different languages. In one case they became confused and disperses. In the other case "simple Galileans" were heard to speak and communicate with others in different languages. Why confusion on the one hand, and communication on the other?

Pentecost is sometimes called the birthday of the church, and we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit to the church. What is Pentecost? What does it mean?  In "What Does it Mean? Pentecost Homily" Christopher Burkett tells us, among other things, that it is a time when one can hear in the language of a broken heart, the spirit of eternal love - a time when we hear the whisper of God in our own hearts.

In "'Nothing but' Misses the Point," The Rev. Canon Frank S. Logue tells us that reductionists who define the world as "nothing but" physical explanations or empiricism miss the point. At the same time it can't be reduced to mere emotionalism or hysteria. What is it then?

In "Messy Church" Jo Bailey Wells tells us that in some sense God prefers a little of the chaos of Pentecost to the strict order and central administration with which the Tower of Babel was built. What does she mean, and why?

'...That they might be one.'

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34  •  Psalm 97  •  Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21  •  John 17:20-26

This week's gospel account is Jesus' prayer for us before his ascension: that we might be one as he and the Father are one, that we might share the love of the Father with him. This is a time of tension before Jesus' ascension - between his absence in human form, and his life giving spirit presence. This is a precursor to Trinity Sunday and Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit breathed life into the Church.

This is also a call for unity. What does it mean to be one in Christ? Do we give up our individuality? How can we be one in Christ when, as individuals, we have different opinions, viewpoints and experiences?

Consider The Rev. Dr. Janet Hunt's "A Unity Not of Our Own Making," Professor John W. Martens' "Heaven-Sent," and Pastor David Risendal's "As We Are One."