Sunday, June 26, 2022
13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
3rd Sunday after Pentecost
Proper 8

The Revised Common Lectionary passages for the Lord’s Day are:
– First Reading: 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14
– Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20
– Second Reading: Galatians 5:1, 13-25
– Gospel Reading: Luke 9:51-62

The liturgical color for the day is: Green

We long for the days of Elijah, when the Word of the Lord was clear and strong and vivid.  We want leaders—we want elders and deacons and pastors who are the new Elijahs.  And leaders in the church want other members to be Elijahs too.  Filled with clear, strong, vivid Word of the Lord.

But here we are.  Here we are on the other side of the whirlwind.  Here we are on this side of the fiery chariot.  And Elijah is gone, and we are left.  Who are we?  We are Elisha.

We are Elisha.

We are not quite sure how we got here.  We are never quite sure that we know where we are going next or that anyone knows where we are going next.

We are Elisha.

We have been on this journey from our own version of Gilgal to our own version of Bethel and then on to our own Jerichos and the Jordan too.  Here we are over here and then there we are over there.  We are Elisha.  We are not quite sure how we got here and not quite sure where we will go next.

But, BUT…in the Spirit there is enough in us to know that we pick up that mantle and we dress ourselves in it.  That mantle is the presence of Christ, and when we are taken up with that, we do not miss…we follow.

That mantle is Christ, and when we are taken up with him, we are, “fit for the Kingdom of God.”

—

Rev. Dr. Daris Bultena
General Presbyter and Stated Clerk