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.

 

 

The Trinity, a glowing oven full of love - feel, and share, the glow

Scripture: Psalm 8 

Holy, Holy, Holy. Lord God Almighty! God in three persons. Blessed Trinity.

This is Trinity Sunday. In "A glowing oven full of love," The Rev. Dr. Joseph Pagano discusses the social nature of God, and "relationship," within the Godhead, with God and us, and the relationships we have with each other. Part of our scripture is one of two creation stories from Genesis which says that we are created in the image and likeness of God. And God saw what he had created, and it was good. This is cause for celebration in relationships. See Psalm 8. 

In "Family Ties," Jenny Williams helps put a human face and sense of community to this week's lesson. 

"The Answer, my friend, is blowing in the wind..." 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?

In "Astounding, Day of Pentecost," The Rev. Joseph S. Pagano discusses the experience of the Holy Spirit, and what it means in trying to explain it.

"... that they may be one."

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

Acts 1:1-11  • Psalm 47 or Psalm 93  • Ephesians 1:15-23  • Luke 24:44-53

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. The Ascension Day scripture is also included in our readings

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 three lessons from Jesus' Ascension from The Rev. Ann Dieterle in "Ascension Day... The Departed?"  (A side note: Ann served as a priest with Alex at St. James in Richmond, VA).